The Finance Manager of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) Abu Bakarr Bangura has told the Commission of inquiry that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) owes them over Le55 million for drilling two bore holes in the Ministry of Education. He was giving evidence before Commissioner Biobele Georgewill of the Commission of Inquiry at the Former Special Court Compound on Wednesday 14th August 2019.
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The witness confirmed to the Commission that he is aware of a contract between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Sierra Leone Water Company in 2017 to drill two bore holes in the Head Quarter of the Ministry at New England Ville in Freetown. Bangura said the ministry was supposed to pay SALWACO Le185 million for the two bore holes, submassive pumps and water tanks, adding that “we ended up receiving Le 92.5 million in July 2017.” According to a follow up audit in 2017, which was shown to the witness by the State Counsel Khadija Bangura, withholding tax to the tune of over Le5 million was never deducted from the payment made to them. He said as an accounting individual, he is aware that withholding tax should have been deducted by the ministry prior to the payment to them. The witness said since they received the first payment in July 2017 of over Le92 million, they are yet to receive any payment. According to Edward Toby, an Engineer at SALWACO they ended up drilling three bore holes, with two negative ones, without water. He furthered that according to the agreement any negative hole drilled should attract a 30% charge which must be paid to them. He said they were supposed to drill two bore holes, but ended drilling one, due to the payment structure from the Ministry of Education. “60% payment should be paid up front, according to the contract.” Which he said was not done. Commissioner Biobele Georgewill adjourned the Commission to Thursday 15th August 2019.
By Mohamed J. Bah
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