Amid the country’s abysmal economy coupled with the austerity left behind by ex- President Koroma APC government due to in the words of the Chief Minister “grand corruption and racketeering” by former government officials, President Bio has paid a total of Le36B as end of service/terminal benefits to past officials.

The President Bio led Sierra Leone People’s Party government through the Ministry of Finance has disbursed the sum of Le 33,415,057,270 for payment of severance benefits, gratuities and arrears of pensions to former President, Vice President, ministers and deputies and other political appointees in the former president Koroma government out of the Le66,830,11,540.00 owed them

The amount disbursed represents 50% of the total amount due as payment of severance benefits and gratuities, while arrears due of the monthly pensions have been paid up to 31st May 2019.

Summary analysis shows that all officials, including the President and Vice have been paid 50% of their gratuities arrears of pensions.
Former President and vice were paid Le 3,403,240,348.50 out of Le6, 806, 480,697.00, while former minister were paid 18,215,912,640.50 out of Le36,431,825,281.00.

Ambassadors and deputies, information and cultural attaches are paid Le 3, 638,921,1847.50 out of Le 77,277,843,695.00: Heads of Agencies and Departments are paid Le2860,565,274.50 out of Le 5,721,130,549.00.

The total sum of Le 3,451,075,493.50 out of Le 6,902,150,987.00 was disbursed to Subvention Agencies End of Service Benefits, whereas the sum of Le 1,845,341,665.50 out of Le3,690, 683,331.00 was disbursed to Contract Gratuities –Ex-Gratia.

The balance 50% payment according to the ministry will be paid in due course.

These payments which are part of the 2019 budget, after the former government failed to factor same in its 2018 budget before leaving office, have been made possible as a result of the disbursement of the US$13.9M by IMF, thus reflecting to the good economic performance of President Bio’s government.

It can be recalled that IMF suspended its engagement with the former President Koroma government due to low domestic revenue and slippages in the management of state resources, which the President Bio government has worked relentlessly since it assumed power to rescinded.