By Josephine W. Lagawo
FREETOWN, Apr. 25 (232news.com) – Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Finance Hon Francis Amara Kaisamba stated that he is informed that BRAC misused money given to then by the European Union for the people of Sierra Leone which is not reflect on the people.
That the money is not used for it purpose rather they are using it for micro-finance business.
The Committee called on BRAC foreign nationals to review the salary of all the Sierra Leonean working for them, because the foreign nationals are paid well and in dollars while national staff received pittance.
The Chairman said document presented by BRAC from the committee is a complete mess as the same name that is on page 4 receiving Le 9m is the same name in page 14 receiving the same amount of money which is an attempt to mislead the committee.
It could be recalled that the said committee summoned BRAC last Tuesday April 19 to probe on their activities in Sierra Leone.
Hon Hassan Sesay asked officials of BRAC how they operate, Tity Sesay Field Officer informed the members of the committee that BRAC operate as an NGO and a Micro-Finance institution at the same time.
Hon Sesay asked Madam Sesay about the source of finance for BRAC which they use to give out as loan, Madam Sesay stated that it through BRAC parent body in Bangladesh and out of the profit they make.
The Opposition Whip pointed out that BRAC was set as a non-profit organization but they are seeing that BRAC micro- finance is making money according to the percentage is 20 to 22% they get out from people
“This micro- finance is not getting people out of trouble, they are creating more problems in homes marriages are broken due to this micro- finance,” he added.
On the previous meeting which they held with BRAC officials Hon Sesay stated that they want to see documents of NASSIT payment of all workers.
Hon Sahr Charles said BRAC has not been operating as NGO rather they are operating as micro- finance institution and that they have over 500 staff of which 15 of their staff with top position are Bangladeshi.
Last Thursday April 21, BRAC Chief Executive Officer and other top officials where at the Administrative Building of Parliament to answer to questions relating to their operations.
Hon Kaisamba asked the Chief Executive Officer of BRAC S/Leone to give background of the institution.
The CEO explained that BRAC is operating in many countries and that they are the largest in terms of micro-finance organizations in the country for which in 2021/2022 they paid taxes amounting to Le 9bn.
Hon Hassan Sesay stated that micro-finance is not getting the people out of poverty because the interest rate of loans is 20% which is not friendly.
Hon Dr. Mack Mahmoud Kalokoh picked up from the document that BRAC submitted wage discrepancy for which the foreign national are better than the local worker and ordered BRAC to review their salaries.
Hon Amadu Kanu Deputy Chairman NGO Committee said BRAC is receiving huge chunk of money as NGO for the people of Sierra Leone but only half of the money reaches government and the people.
Hon Sahr Juana said BRAC S/ Leone is not only deceiving the committee but the nation, pointing out that no other institution should be paying their staff in dollar unless UN organization but BRAC is paying their foreign nationals in dollar which according to him is contempt.
Hon Kaisamba said BRAC registered at the Bank of Sierra Leone as Micro- finance and register at the Ministry of Planning and Development as NGO but that they are creating more poverty for the people in this country.
