By zainab.joaqué@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – During recent budget discussions with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Defence requested SLE 542,643,300 for the fiscal year 2025. This budget aims to support critical initiatives, including:
- Procuring major equipment for Peace Support Operations (PSO) and national defense.
- Reconstructing and paving the Pavilion and Parade Grounds at the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC).
- Recruiting and training 300 new personnel.
- Cultivating 1,000 acres of Boli land at the Yoni farm site in the Kamajei Chiefdom, Moyamba District.
- Establishing an additional Defence Attaché Station in the UAE.
- Recruiting 500 healthcare workers for the Joint Medical Unit.
Despite this request, the Ministry of Defence is contending with substantial arrears amounting to approximately US$25,082,578.98. These arrears cover various contracts, including military transport spares, oil and lubricants for the RSLAF/MoD fleet, combat suits, boots, military vehicles, and other essential equipment. Additionally, there are outstanding payments for the rehabilitation and construction of military barracks, PSO equipment procurement, and drug and reagent supplies. An extra SLE 11,408,449.63 is owed for strengthening security systems at JLU (Central Ordinance), settling local purchasing orders, and constructing the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess.
The approved budget for the Ministry of Defence was originally set at SLE 176.6 million—SLE 156 million for recurrent expenditure and SLE 20.6 million for domestic development. However, the total expenditure for FY 2023 reached SLE 419.6 million, exceeding the approved budget by SLE 243 million. In FY 2023, the ministry achieved several milestones: training 250 specialist personnel, establishing the Armed Forces Construction Corporation, completing the Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess at Wilberforce Barracks, cultivating 250 acres of rice at Mano Dasse in Moyamba District, resuming work at Kambia Barracks, and procuring major PSO equipment.
For FY 2024, the approved budget includes SLE 441 million for recurrent expenditure and SLE 54 million for domestic development, with SLE 369.5 million released as of August 25, 2024. Key objectives for the year include recruiting and training 300 personnel, operationalizing the Armed Forces Construction Company, delivering major PSO equipment, cultivating 350 acres of Boli land and 50 acres of inland valley swamp at Matobong and Kholifa Mabang, and constructing a parade square at Wilberforce Barracks. To date, the ministry has operationalized the Armed Forces Construction Company, cultivated 350 acres of Boli land at Mano Dasse, and established a Defence Attaché Station in Washington, D.C.
The 34 Military Hospital has reported revenue generation figures for 2023 and January to July 2024. In 2023, the hospital generated SLE 2,137,200.00, and as of July 2024, it has generated SLE 1,094,100.51. The hospital projects a revenue of SLE 3,090,000.00 for 2025, with potential additional income from increasing bed capacity from 120 to 600.
To boost revenue mobilization, efforts are underway through the Joint Medical Unit-34 Military Hospital, the Maritime Wing, and revenue from PSO. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence is actively engaged in military diplomacy to advance national interests, global and regional security arrangements, and bilateral military agreements. ZIJ/30/8/2024
