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In pursuance of their public accountability session in parliament, The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 27^th July 2010 summoned the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment to answer to some of the findings in the Auditor General’s report on the account of Sierra Leone from the year 2006 to 2008.

The session was however postponed because the officials representing the Lands Ministry had earlier presented a formal report to the Audit Service Commission which was yet to be properly substantiated of the Public Accounts Committee.

Hon. Hassan Sheriff lambasted the Ministry officials for their untimely respond to the query letter sent to them by the Audit Service Commission. Representing the Lands Ministry were the current and former Permanent Secretary, Jacob Quee and Brima Rogers respectively, the current and former Director of Lands Dr. William Farmer and Donald George, Harding Bockarie, Princess Turay and Lucy French.

When asked to reply on why they failed to comply within the stipulated time of 30 days, the current Permanent Secretary, Jacob Quee expressed deep regret for their inability to respond on time while stating some of the lapses in the Ministry. Mr. Quee stated that most of the staff connected with the report were not immediately available as some were on leave while others have gone on retirement. “I have tried several times to get available materials, but to no avail,” Jacob Quee said. “I had to use the information and materials available at my disposal,” he added.

The session was postponed to August 12, 2010. Hon Hassan Sheriff urged the Ministry of Lands to be well prepared before facing the PAC as the committee, he said, will act according to law should they failed to respond adequately.

Before the start of the session, Parliamentarians present at the hearing reminded the Lands officials that this was not a witch hunt, but part of their constitutional responsibilities.

The Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment have been brought before the Committee to explain how about hundreds of millions of Leones expended in Ministry were not properly documented or accounted for.