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Finance Minister Says Sierra Leone Govt Spends Huge Amounts On Police/Army

The Independent (Freetown)
NEWS
July 16, 2004
Posted to the web July 16, 2004
Isata Lebbie
The minister of finance of Sierra Leone James B. Dauda says in order to prove
that government now operates "transparently", they now reveal how much they
have and what has been spent.
He says Le10 billion is allocated to every ministry, adding that government
spends huge amounts on the Police and Armed Forces. He added that a substantial
amount is also expended on education.
J. B. Dauda adds that because of the gradual withdrawal of UNAMSIL government
would recruit more personnel into the Police and Army.
He however points out that government needs more money up to the tune of Le 6
billion to rehabilitate schools, stressing that education is one other area
government spends much on.
He says government is helping farmers with seedlings in a bid to bring to
fruition president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah's call for food sufficiency.
According to him, there have been intensified efforts to identify areas to
generate more revenue for government. "Progress has continued to be made in
strengthening peace and security situation as well as in local government
reform and decentralization," he concludes.

   

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