Bonthe Island Embraces Audit Service

The people of Bonthe Island have expressed delight over the move taken by the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) to visit them during one of the nationwide citizens engagement sessions on Monday 22nd April, 2024. This session is part of the nationwide stakeholders engagement organised by the ASSL with support from the World Bank through the Accountable Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project.

The people heartily welcomed the ASSL team, as the engagement was first of it kind to the Island.

The session held at the Bonthe Municipal Council hall was broadcast live on Radio Bontico for residents within the Municipality to get first-hand information about the engagement and activities of the ASSL.

The Deputy Mayor of the Bonthe Municipal Council, Daniel S. Bangalie pointed out that the people of Bonthe Island are very happy with the ASSL engagement, allowing them to participate in the planning of the audit of their local council and the nation as a whole.

During the programme, Mr Morie Lansana, Assistant Auditor General of the ASSL expressed satisfaction over the overwhelming welcome and gratitude the ASSL team received from the residents of Bonthe Island. He pointed out that the ASSL has brought the citizens engagement team to the people of the Island to be part of the planning process of the 2023 audit, to point out areas the ASSL should focus while auditing the council. He noted that this year’s audit will be people centered, focusing on service delivery.

Alhaji A.M.S Kanneh, District Budget Oversight Committee member in Bonthe District expressed satisfaction over the presence of the ASSL team in the Island. He stated that during the ASSL’s budget presentation at the Ministry of Finance, he made a plea for the ASSL to take its citizens engagement sessions to the Island, noting that most MDAs refuse to visit the Island and would prefer to stop over at Mattru Jong. “The Acting Auditor General, Mr. Abdul Aziz promised me that he would ensure that the ASSL engage the Island,I am happy that this has happened,” Alhaji A.M.S Kanneh noted.

Stakeholders were drawn from all sectors including Paramount Chiefs, Councilors, civil society organisations, media, youth groups, schools, women groups, boat riders and persons with disability. They highlighted areas the ASSL should focus when auditing the council, including own source revenue generation and utilisation, award of contracts within the municipality. They also expressed dismay over the absence of core staff in the Municipality, and called for the recruitment of indegenes to ameliorate the situation.