CODE (SL) In Hot Waters
Intensive Investigations are being launched against a local NGO the Community Organization for Development and Empowerment(CODE) Sierra Leone based in Bo District headed by Director Samuel Bangalie, is alleged to account for Le13,200, 000 million funds provided by MUNAFA Social Micro-Finance to be implemented by UNICEF one of its implementing partners.
According to a leaked document in the possession of Day Break Newspaper, in December 2022, CODE received funds from UNICEF in the amount of Le4,200(Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Leones) to support Social and Economic Inclusion for small scale enterprises in selected chiefdoms in Bonthe and Kono Districts.. The document further alleges that since the disbursement of this funds, CODE (SL) is yet to provide evidence who the beneficiaries are in these districts.
The leaked document further pointed out that in 2023, CODE(SL) was supported by UNICEF to implement WASH activities in Moyamba District in a project titled: ‘’Improving Access To Climate Resilient Water Sanitation and Hygiene Services’’ in three coastal communities-Shenge, (Kaarta and Plaintain Island. It is further alleged the project cost Le9, 000.000 and the project period was one year.
It was also alleged that the first disbursement amount to CODE (SL) was Le3, 000.000. In the same 2023, work commenced though status of work done was not commensurate to the said disbursement. The document further noted that a second disbursement in the sum of Le3, 000.000. In late 2023, no work was done to a point that the Chief of WASH at UNICEF Bishnu Timisina together with the Director of NGO affairs Eric Masally in the Ministry of Development and Economic Planning (MoDEP), carried out several engagements with Director Bangalie to encourage him to continue with the projects or return the funds, yet it was all excuses and promises to date.
What is further disturbing and shocking about Bangalie’s alleged mishandling of donor funds is the fact that over 80% of his staff has left his organization in 2024 for non-payment of salaries and NASSIT contribution. The least said anything about the organization’s PAYE obligation to the NRA the better.
When this medium contacted him to get his own side of the allegations via his whatsapp number 076662007 including a stop press statement which was sent to him, he did not make any effort to respond.
In another attempt to give him another opportunity to get his own side of the allegations he did not respond.
