The government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Finance has on Monday June 29, 2020, paid the outstanding [final payment] End of Service Benefits of Le31,463,583,085 to Former President, Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other Political Appointees, and an additionally payment of Le 4,750,797,375 to Ex-Ministers and deputy Ministers of the current administration as their end of service benefits.
It could be recalled that in 2019 the Government of Sierra Leone paid Le38, 708, 975, 799 to Former President, Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other Political Appointees as first instalment payment of their severance benefits, gratuities and arrears of pensions that were not paid by the previous administration. The government has now fully paid the 143 public officials to the tune of Le 74, 923, 356, 258.
According to a statement issued on Monday June 29, 2020, there were 68 beneficiaries in one category constituting the Ex-president, ministers and their deputies, with a total benefit of Le 47, 854, 975, 271, but government made 50% payment of Le 23, 927, 487, 636 in 2019 and has now paid the full sum of Le 23, 927, 487, 636.
The Ministry said that there were 22 ex-Ambassadors with their total benefit costing 6, 922, 127, 381, but government made 50% payment of Le 3, 466, 063, 691 in 2019 and has now paid the full payment of Le 3, 466, 063, 691. “There were 26 heads of agencies/departments with their total benefit costing Le 5, 940, 570, 217, but government made 50% payment of Le 23, 927, 487, 636 in 2019 and has now paid the full payment of Le 5, 940, 570, 217,” the Ministry pointed out. “There were 16 Ex-information/ cultural attaches with their total benefit costing 4, 694, 088, 640, but government made 50% payment of Le 2, 403, 292, 121 in 2019 and has now paid the full payment of Le 2, 403, 292, 121.”
The government also pays 11 Ex- minister and deputies of the current administration. “Their total benefit costing 9, 501, 594, 749, but government made 50% payment of Le 4, 750, 797, 375 in 2019 and has now paid the full payment of Le 4, 750, 797, 375,” the Minister said.
By Stephen V. Lansana
1/7/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7855