In a bombshell disclosure, Sierra Leonean lawyer and prominent activist Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah has shed light on the Sierra Leone government’s extravagant spending habits. Marrah’s recent revelation unveils that a staggering USD 28 million has been splurged on overseas travel by the government over the past six years.
The figures, presented in USD terms, paint a staggering picture:
2018: USD 3,484,000
2019: USD 4,235,000
2020: USD 2,825,000
2021: USD 2,201,000
2022: USD 6,254,000
2023: USD 8,920,000
Marrah’s disclosure has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting widespread debate and scrutiny over the government’s fiscal priorities. The breakdown of expenses, detailed by Marrah and shared on social media, underscores a concerning trend of escalating costs year after year.
Of particular concern is the sharp surge in overseas travel expenses from 2022 to 2023, which more than doubled from USD 6.254 million to USD 8.92 million. This dramatic increase has raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the necessity and justification for such lavish spending, especially in light of pressing financial obligations faced by the government.
Marrah’s revelation has highlighted the stark disparity between the government’s extravagant travel expenses and its outstanding debts. Notably, Marrah pointed out, “Our government owes Turkish Kapowership a sum of USD 27 million for electricity services from 2022 to date.
As the nation grapples with economic challenges and a mounting debt burden, Marrah’s disclosure serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for responsible financial management and prudent allocation of resources.
