Concord Times (Freetown)
20 November 2008
analysis
Freetown — The issue hovering SABABU project is a contentious one that has to be very critical to decipher if, it is a witch-hunt or transparent investigation to expose the facts; SABABU as a project was exclusively under the financial management of the KPMG.
If KPMD was selected to professionally and financially manage the SABABU Education project by the Ministry of Education, it must have been with the due consent of the financier/Donor- The WORLD BANK
The World Bank was not going to continue putting in funds if the project was a failed project.
However, the APC governments with the advice of attorney general (Turned Commissioner) decide to investigate the project. This act is in fact a slap in the face of the donors. It is indicative of the fact that the World Bank also is made up of rogue and corrupt personnel.
Why continue to pump money into a discredited project even after series of on-the-site-visits by World Bank staff to ascertain donor satisfaction; that satisfaction will ensure and guarantee continuation of the project. And if the project is still ongoing, why investigate it to heap some gloominess over its performance.
KPMG/SABABU
The SABABU project under KPMG supervision was suppose to be professionally managed by the following:
(a) The financial specialist/head-KPMG
(b) The financial controller KPMG
(c) The procurement specialist KPMG
Today, rumour making circles in the country has it that a whopping ninety millions of United States dollars ($90 million) was pumped into the project.
However, this is the figure propagated in government circles as against the reality. The real figure according to KPMG staff under oath is forty million United States dollars ($40m). The difference of fifty million United States dollars ($50m) has warranted the investigation into the project funding and performance.
What is lucid is that the SABABU project for transparency, accountability and performance was placed under the exclusive financial supervision of the KPMG (A notable financial institution).
KPMG itself was headed by Mr. David Carew the current minister of finance in the much "GLORIFIED GOVERNMENT OF DR. PRESIDENT ERNEST KOROMA."
The fact about the SABABU project will remain concealed until Minister David Carew is invited to face the investigation before the Serry-Kamal and Janneh Commission of Enquiry now sitting on the SABABU project.
Witch Hunt
If the Serry-Kamal/Janneh Commission of enquiry is not a witch-hunt the people of this nation would like to see the following happening?
(a) The Attorney general should stop sitting on the commission with commissioners under oath. These commissioners are suppose to be independent and under oath.
Mr. Attorney General though under oath as a minister is still not under oath as a commissioner. He is therefore, not independent and is witch-hunting by influencing the commission. He should excuse himself or Mr. President, please make him to release this except the finance minister - Mr. David Carew is a sacred cow but if he is not, he should be requested or made to appear before the Commission to educate the commissioners about the much trumpeted SABABU project.
This will help to stop the undue harassment of peaceful citizens who worked their guts out to server this nation but are now been willed because of political witch-hunting.
For the sake of socio-political transparency, Mr. David Carew, Minister of Finance when appearing before the commission should be suspended from office. He should appear like all common citizens.
It is only the World Bank who has the right to indicate how much money they spent on the project. Until they are made to appear (where possible) and explain the cost involved, there is going to be gloominess hanging over the 'WHO' project. This will discourage other future donors.
Conclusion
People in society should not be made to believe that commissions of enquiry are instituted to witch-hunt service oriented nationals after providing their national services. This if continued will create the situation wherein people will dodge accepting appointment positions to public offices.
This will have a ripple effect on public offices as they will be anemic of service provider like ministers and many more.
Meant
(i) To scare indigenes away from the country after their natural stewardship that will be our ungrateful way of appreciating societal service to the nation
(ii) It should not be seen as a political weapon against political opponents. This is because no political position, situation or scenario is permanent.
(iii) Mr. President, you are fore warned because you had an acrid political fight with your political protagonist in the APC who today are politically shacking with you. The political blade could be turned against you by those same people who are now picking with you for their own selfish tomorrow.
(iv) It should not be used to unduly harass people in order to send them to Coventry.
Finally, this investigation should come to a quick close for the sake of peace and love for the nation!
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Respectfully, Sir, what does your affective cris de coeur in your posting have to do with the issue posed?
On the other hand, who am I to stop you from venting, given the jahanama that the soupist criminal organizations---APC = SLPP---have engulfed the sub-altern, captured, neo-modern captives of the territory of Sierra Leone?
I suggest you names; that would be a more effective therapeutic regimen. I name one soupist, who I call a thief: Kabba. I name another: EBK and the soupist First Lady: tiffy, tiffy, all and sundry.
Kindest and Highest Felicitations.
The issue is simply anyone who accepted to serve in a public office must be opened to scrutiny. There is nothing wrong with public officers being asked to answer questions on their service and funds they controlled/managed on behalf of the nation. This is what transparency and accountability to the nation is all about.This a part of every truly democratic society. There is tiffy tiffy everywhere. I am sure not even the World Bank cannot claim immunity. KPMG is not David Carew.It is an international auditing firm. KPMG did not go out of business when David Carew became a minister. KPMG can still answer for its actions.
Far from being "simple," "the issue" is a jungle of complexity.
You expect "accountability" in soupist Sierra Leone? When that happens, I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.
Cheers.
THE NAKED TRUTH IS BITTER This truth is disgusting to hear and the end product will be defensive mechanism or appealing to the fallacy of mercy. You can serve your country but with dignity and sincerity. Don't use your office as a means of getting more in a dubious circumstance. Let the county be number one not your selfish desires or wants. Man is selfish to the point that he or she wants to grab everything for him or her self.Tell me what is your motivation of entering to service of your beloved country? Is it that you want to steal more or to help elevate the suffering mercies? I PROPOSE THAT IF A MAN OR WOMAN WANTS TO HELP LET HIM HELP WITH ALL SINCERITY BUT TO LEAVE ALL SELFISH MOTIVATIONS. LET THE MOTIVATION BE QUESTIONED BY THE GREATEST TRIBUNAL THAT IS THE CONSCIENCE IF NOT DEAD. IF NOT, LET THE PERSON FACE THE MOST DIFFICULT PUNISHMENT OF HIS OR HER DISHONEST LOYALTY OF SERVICE CLAIMED. LET NO ONE BE SPARED LET ALL WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY. Paul Turay