Category: Laws of Sierra Leone

The Fiscal Management and Control Act, 2017 [No. 9 of 2017]

Here are the key points summarized from “The Fiscal Management and Control Act, 2017”:

Title and Purpose:
The act is titled “The Fiscal Management and Control Act, 2017” and aims to direct government agencies to transfer revenues or other monies received by them into the Consolidated Fund.
Date of Commencement:
The act is deemed to have come into operation on July 1st, 2017.
Definitions:
Defines “agency of Government” as an institution receiving revenues or other monies on behalf of the Government.
“Government” refers to the Government of Sierra Leone.
“Minister” denotes the minister responsible for finance.
Transfer of Revenues:
Mandates that all monies held in the accounts of government agencies be transferred into the Consolidated Fund upon the act’s commencement.
Specifies that revenues or other monies received by agencies, as outlined in the Schedule, must be paid into the Consolidated Fund, regardless of any contrary provisions in existing enactments.
Amendment of Schedule:
Empowers the Minister to amend the Schedule to the Act through a statutory instrument.
Regulations:
Grants the Minister authority to make Regulations to implement the provisions of the Act.
Allows for Regulations to stipulate the allocation of a portion of monies paid into the Consolidated Fund to the respective agencies for covering their expenses.
This summary encapsulates the essential components of the act, facilitating an understanding of its objectives and operational framework.

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The National Water Resources Management Agency Act, 2017 [No. 5 of 2017]

Here are the key points of The National Water Resources Management Agency Act, 2017:

Purpose and Scope:
The Act aims to ensure the equitable, beneficial, efficient, and sustainable use and management of Sierra Leone’s water resources. It establishes the National Water Resources Management Agency to oversee water resource management.
Definitions:
The Act provides definitions for various terms related to water resources, management, and governance structures, ensuring clarity and consistency in its implementation.
National Water Resources Management Agency:
The Act establishes the National Water Resources Management Agency as the body responsible for controlling water resources in a sustainable manner. It outlines the agency’s functions, including the adoption of natural river basin and aquifer boundaries for water resource management.
Basin Management:
The Act emphasizes the importance of adopting natural river basin and aquifer boundaries as the basic units of water resource management. It also establishes Water Basin Management Boards and Water Catchment Area Management Committees for effective management at the local level.
Beneficial Use and Protection:
The Act defines “beneficial use” of water and emphasizes the protection of water resources to ensure sustainability and the protection of aquatic systems. It also introduces the polluter-pays principle to hold responsible parties accountable for water pollution.
Integrated Water Resources Management:
The Act promotes the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which advocate for the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare while ensuring sustainability.
Water Resource Preservation:
The Act designates protected catchment areas to preserve water resources and establishes reserves to meet basic human needs and maintain significant environmental services.
Regulation and Enforcement:
The Act likely includes provisions for the regulation and enforcement of water resource management, including the issuance of water permits, monitoring of water quality, and penalties for violations.
Financial Provisions:
The Act may establish a National Water Resources Management Fund to support the agency’s activities, ensuring adequate funding for sustainable water resource management.
Overall, The National Water Resources Management Agency Act, 2017 establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of Sierra Leone’s water resources, with a focus on equitable use, environmental protection, and effective governance at both national and local levels.

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The Finance (Amendment) Act, 2018 [No. 12 of 2018]

Here are the key points of the Finance (Amendment) Act, 2018:

Amendments to the Customs Tariff Act, 1978:
The First Schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1978, is amended by repealing and replacing tariff rates under various headings.
Tariff rates for wheat or meslin flour under heading 11.0 are set at 10%.
Tariff rates for fruit juices and vegetable juices under heading 20.09 are set at 20%.
Tariff rates for waters, mineral waters, and aerated waters under headings 22.01, 22.02, and 22.03 are set at 35%.
Excise rates for tobacco products under heading 24.01, 24.02, and 24.03 are set at 35%.
Amendments to the Excise Act, 1982:
The First Schedule of the Excise Act, 1982, is amended by repealing and replacing excise rates under heading 2203.
Excise rates for beer made from malt are specified, with different rates for stout & porter and beer, both being less than 10% alcohol content.
These amendments revise the tariff rates for various goods and the excise rates for beer and tobacco products, aiming to adjust the taxation policies outlined in the Finance Acts of 2008, 2017, and 2018, along with other related matters.

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The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2018

The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2018 is summarized as follows:

Purpose: This Act provides supplementary provisions for the services of Sierra Leone for the year 2018.
Amendment to the Appropriation Act, 2017:
The Act acknowledges that the Appropriation Act, 2017, allocated a specific sum for the services of Sierra Leone for 2018.
It states that there’s a need for an additional sum of eighty-four billion three hundred and eighty-eight million two hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred Leones in excess of the 2017 allocation.
Legal Basis:
The Constitution of Sierra Leone and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, mandate the submission of supplementary estimates to Parliament when the allocated funds are insufficient or unforeseen expenditures arise.
The Financial Management Regulations, 2007, require approval from the Minister for unforeseen or urgent expenditures.
Allocations:
Specific allocations are provided for various government functions and services, including youth and sports services, solid waste management, agriculture, rural water services, health care, fisheries, and marine resources.
Development activities such as water supply projects, civil registration, electrification of city and district headquarters, and rehabilitation of streets are also funded.
The total sum voted under the Supplementary Appropriation Act is one hundred ninety-seven billion five hundred ninety-eight million six hundred ninety-six thousand Leones.
This Act enables additional funding for various sectors and projects vital for Sierra Leone’s development and welfare during the fiscal year 2018.

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