Freetown — Deputy minister of finance and economic development Thursday issued a stern warning ahead of a pending government crack down on all briefcase non-governmental organizations operating in the country.

Dr. Richard Conteh told a weekly press conference at the ministry of information and communications that they were ready to wipe out all dubious activities associated with the proliferation of such organizations.

He said briefcase organizations would not be encouraged, adding that: "from September this year we will start to reregister NGOs in Sierra Leone. If any NGO did not have up to five staff and a functioning office it will not be allowed to operate in the country." Dr. Conteh noted that organizations would now have to register to operate for a period of two years before they would be allowed to commence their activities.

"We will ensure that funds meant for the development of the country are judiciously utilized," he said.

On the issue of the increase of salary, the deputy minister said low payment of salary was a recipe for corruption.

"Before any salary increase there is need to look carefully at the payrolls. A worker must be paid adequately for the work he or she is doing," he said.