THE NATIONAL ASSIGNMENT PART 3
By Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray
MP – Moyamba District
One of the most overlooked causes of waste in Sierra Leone’s public sector is the persistent failure to maintain government assets.
For decades, billions of Leones have been spent acquiring vehicles, machinery, buildings, and equipment. Yet many of these assets deteriorate prematurely due to neglect, poor management, and the absence of a maintenance culture.
This article focuses particularly on government vehicles, an area where inefficiency and waste have become deeply entrenched.
Parked Wealth: Vehicles Left to Die
Across many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, vehicles purchased with taxpayers’ money or donated by development partners are left abandoned for months, sometimes years, because of minor mechanical faults.
In many instances, a simple repair costing a fraction of the vehicle’s value could return it to service. Instead, the vehicles remain parked, gradually deteriorating until they become completely unusable.
A visit to many government compounds reveals fleets of vehicles gathering dust. While these vehicles remain idle, requests for additional procurement, donor support, and increased maintenance budgets continue to rise. This cycle of neglect has become a costly burden on the nation.
Beyond Mechanical Failure
Even more concerning are allegations that some officials entrusted with managing these assets engage in the dismantling and unauthorized sale of vehicle parts. Such practices undermine public trust and contribute significantly to the depletion of government resources.
The problem extends beyond vehicles. Government buildings, generators, medical equipment, water systems, and educational infrastructure frequently suffer the same fate. We have become accustomed to investing heavily in acquisition while paying little attention to preservation.
When Maintenance Failures Cost Lives
The state of our ambulance services offers a clear example. Since the introduction of numerous ambulances over the years, many have become inoperative due to maintenance failures. Vehicles designed to save lives are sometimes unable to respond to emergencies because of mechanical issues that could have been prevented through routine servicing.
Similarly, waste collection vehicles meant to keep our cities clean are often grounded while communities struggle with sanitation challenges. In many cases, local authorities wait for donor interventions rather than developing sustainable maintenance plans.
The Budget Excuse vs. Responsible Governance
Some may argue that budget constraints are responsible. Indeed, delayed budget releases and financial challenges are realities faced by many institutions.
However, even within limited resources, responsible governance requires prioritization. Preventive maintenance is far cheaper than replacement. A government that cannot repair a vehicle headlight today may eventually be forced to purchase an entirely new vehicle tomorrow.
A Culture of Repair: The Way Forward
As Sierra Leone pursues national development, the country must urgently embrace a new culture of repair and maintenance: digital Asset Tracking- Government assets should be digitally registered and tracked through modern asset management systems; institutionalized Maintenance: Regular inspections, maintenance schedules, and accountability mechanisms must be institutionalized across all MDAs and personal Accountability- Officers responsible for government assets should be held accountable for negligence, misuse, or unauthorized disposal of public property
Asset management should be treated as a core component of public sector performance, not as an afterthought.
Preparing for a Post-Donor Future
The era of depending indefinitely on donor support is gradually coming to an end. The global economic landscape is changing, and development partners increasingly expect countries to demonstrate responsible stewardship of resources they already possess. Donor fatigue is a growing reality.
Sierra Leone must prepare for a future where self-reliance becomes more important than ever.
A Wake-Up Call
This article is therefore a wake-up call. We must resuscitate the culture of maintenance, modernize asset management systems, and protect investments already made with public funds.
Development is not only about acquiring new assets. It is equally about preserving and maximizing the value of what we already have.
A nation that maintains its assets protects its future. A nation that neglects them condemns itself to perpetual waste.
The time to Act is Now!
“A government that cannot repair a vehicle headlight today may eventually be forced to purchase an entirely new vehicle tomorrow.”
“The Cost of One Neglected Vehicle vs. 10 Years of Maintenance” – simple breakdown showing how SLL 500K annual servicing saves SLL 800M replacement cost.
