Freetown, 27th August 2024 —The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has officially commenced a forensic investigation into corruption allegations involving the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) and Femab Properties of Lagos, Nigeria.
This follows a report published in the August 2024 issue of Africa Confidential that raised concerns over a $50 million project for the construction of a new IPAM campus in Bureh Town, Western Area Rural District.
The ACC, in a press release, confirmed that it had carefully reviewed the publication and was taking prompt action to investigate the claims.
“The Commission wishes to reassure the public of its commitment to take prompt action against corruption anywhere and to address all levels of corruption in Sierra Leone,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Femab Properties Limited has responded to the allegations with a detailed rebuttal, challenging the accuracy of the Africa Confidential report.
According to Femab, the contract for the Bureh Campus project, signed on August 2, 2018, involved extensive negotiations between IPAM/USL and Femab, with the Sierra Leone government acting as a witness. The $50 million construction project, largely financed by Femab, was approved by both the Cabinet and Parliament.
Key conditions of the contract included an upfront payment of $12.5 million from IPAM and a Sovereign Guarantee from the government to cover the remaining $37 million. However, the project faced delays primarily due to the government’s failure to provide the required Sovereign Guarantee, which hindered Femab’s ability to secure necessary funding.
Despite these challenges, Femab claims it has made significant progress since the construction officially began on January 24, 2019, including site preparation and material mobilization.
“Reports and site visits have confirmed that substantial preparatory work was completed,” Femab stated, blaming the financing issues for the slow pace of the project.
Femab further criticized Africa Confidential for what it described as a misleading portrayal of the project’s status, arguing that high-level discussions are ongoing and that the project remains active.
“The issues causing delays have been addressed, and Femab remains committed to the successful completion of the Bureh Campus project,” the company asserted.
The Bureh Town Campus is anticipated to bring significant benefits to Sierra Leone, including enhanced educational facilities, job creation, and economic growth. The ACC’s investigation will now determine the veracity of the allegations and whether any parties involved in the project are guilty of corruption.
