{"id":1407,"date":"2026-07-23T17:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2026-07-23T17:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:35:14","slug":"hunger-may-hit-prisoners-if","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=1407","title":{"rendered":"Hunger May Hit Prisoners If\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Food Suppliers Threaten To Stop Deliveries<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The continued delay in settling outstanding payments owed to suppliers providing regular diet and cooking gas to the Sierra Leone Correctional Services has raised serious concerns, with contractors warning that they may be left with no option but to suspend deliveries if urgent action is not taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to suppliers, they have reportedly gone for about 17 months without receiving payment for goods and services already delivered under contractual agreements. They say the prolonged delay has placed them under severe financial pressure, making it increasingly difficult to sustain operations while continuing to meet their obligations to the Correctional Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contractors explained that despite their commitment to ensuring that correctional facilities remain adequately supplied with food items and cooking gas, they are now struggling to pay their own workers, transport providers, wholesalers, and financial institutions. Many of them say they have relied on bank loans and credit facilities to continue supplying correctional centres across the country, but those options are becoming exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The suppliers stressed that they have exercised patience for well over a year in the hope that the outstanding payments would be processed. However, they argue that the situation has reached a critical point and that their businesses are facing the risk of collapse if the arrears remain unpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They warned that unless government urgently intervenes, they may be compelled to suspend further deliveries of food and cooking gas. Such a move, they noted, could affect meal preparation and the daily feeding programme within correctional centres, creating operational challenges for prison authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contractors are therefore appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Finance, and all relevant authorities to expedite the release of funds to settle the outstanding arrears. They maintain that prompt payment would not only protect their businesses but also ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential goods to correctional facilities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry observers note that suppliers of essential public services often depend on timely government payments to maintain steady operations. They caution that prolonged payment delays can place considerable strain on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that have limited access to working capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected contractors reaffirmed that their intention is not to disrupt services but to draw attention to the financial hardship they are experiencing. They expressed hope that constructive engagement with the relevant authorities would lead to a swift resolution, enabling them to continue supporting the Sierra Leone Correctional Services without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As concerns continue to grow, many stakeholders are expected to watch closely for government action, given the importance of maintaining consistent food and cooking gas supplies to correctional institutions. The suppliers say they remain willing to continue serving the nation but insist that the sustainability of their businesses depends on the prompt settlement of the outstanding debts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As Food Suppliers Threaten To Stop Deliveries The continued delay in settling outstanding payments owed to suppliers providing regular diet and cooking gas to the Sierra Leone Correctional Services has raised serious concerns, with contractors warning that they may be left with no option but to suspend deliveries if urgent action is not taken. According […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main-story","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t