By Reporter J.
The Mayor of Freetown has expressed serious concern over the proposed transfer of the City Council’s Finance Officer, warning that the move could disrupt critical year-end financial operations. In a letter dated December 24, 2025, addressed to the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), the Mayor reacted to a directive instructing the Finance Officer to hand over his duties to the Pujehun District Finance Officer by December 30, 2025.
Citing her statutory responsibility under Section 12 (2) (h) of the Local Government Act of 2022 to ensure the proper management of the council’s finances, the Mayor described the timing of the transfer as “deeply concerning.” She emphasized that the end of the year is a sensitive period for the finance department, and replacing the head of finance could destabilize ongoing processes.
Key activities currently underway include uploading the 2026 budget onto the Public Financial Management (PFM) Smart system, reconciling council expenditures across bank accounts, reviewing MOPTAX and enforcement revenues, and preparing the 2025 financial statements for audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone.
Interrupting these processes, the Mayor cautioned, could undermine financial accountability, transparency, and compliance, especially as the council prepares to transition into the 2026 financial year.
While the letter does not outright reject the transfer, the Mayor strongly urged the LGSC to reconsider the timing in the interest of institutional stability and sound financial management at the Freetown City Council.
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