22/08/2026
THE 91% QUESTION
By Sir Samuel Active Conteh, cHRBP 2.0
Doctorate in Management Candidate - UCAM, Spain.
According to findings reported by civil-society budget advocates, approximately NLe365.2 million was collected through the 5% rice import duty during the period under review, while approximately NLe31.9 million was transferred to the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF).
On the face of those reported figures, that represents a difference of approximately NLe333.3 million, or about 91%.
This raises an important question for public accountability:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 91%?
To be clear, this question is not an allegation that anyone stole or misappropriated public funds. The available figures alone do not establish that.
Rather, Sierra Leoneans deserve clarification on the journey of the funds after collection.
Was the remaining amount retained within government accounts?
Was it accounted for through the Treasury?
Was it allocated to other approved government programmes?
Was any portion subsequently transferred to the Agricultural Development Fund?
What do the official financial records show?
These are reasonable questions for citizens, farmers, civil-society organisations and policymakers to ask.
WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTING TRAIL?
For the sake of transparency, it would be helpful for the relevant authorities to publish the official figures showing:
* Total rice import-duty revenue collected;
* Amount transferred to the ADF;
* Dates and amounts of transfers;
* How the remaining balance was accounted for; and
* The legal or budgetary basis for any alternative allocation.
If the funds were properly accounted for, the documentation should provide the answer.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
This is ultimately about agriculture and the people who depend on it.
Farmers need access to inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, financing and markets. Every resource allocated for agricultural development should therefore be properly accounted for and transparently reported.
The public does not need speculation.
The public needs facts.
So the question remains:
NLe365.2 MILLION WAS REPORTEDLY COLLECTED. NLe31.9 MILLION WAS REPORTEDLY TRANSFERRED TO THE ADF.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER 91%?
Let the records speak.
Sierra Leoneans deserve transparency. Sierra Leoneans deserve accountability.