An in-depth investigation has revealed that staff of the Sierra Leone Postal Service (SLPS) have gone nearly four months without receiving their salaries, leaving them in severe financial distress.
The non-payment of wages has led to dire consequences for many employees. Some staff members have reportedly been evicted from their homes due to their inability to pay rent, a situation that has had a devastating impact on their families.
Adding to the controversy, Managing Director Brima Katta has been accused of sidelining staff members from technical training opportunities abroad. Instead, he is said to have attended all international training programs himself, allegedly for the financial benefits of receiving per diems.
Sources further allege that the Managing Director receives a monthly salary of $7,000 from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), allowing him to live comfortably while his staff remains unpaid.
Questions about financial transparency have also been raised. At an end-of-year office party last year, the MD announced that the institution had made a profit of 8 billion old Leones. However, there has been no public disclosure of how these funds were utilized.
Additionally, monies collected from terminal dues from international postal partners are reportedly unaccounted for. This lack of accountability has further eroded trust in the institution’s leadership.
Furthermore, the SLPS has operated without offering permanent employment for almost two years, leaving staff in precarious and unstable working conditions.
This situation highlights systemic issues within the institution, underscoring the urgent need for financial transparency and administrative reform to restore the trust and well-being of its staff.
Responding to the allegations was Brima Katta the managing director of Sierra Leone postal service said his been working tirelessly by making sure that all staff will be well paid an on time.
According to him, the institution has not been getting travelling programs all the time adding that he is always sending staff for technical training when the need arise.
Mr. Katta also assured that the balance months of backlog will be settled early 2024.
Mr. Brima said: “I have never announced any amount of money during the end of year office party.”
He said, there is a total number of 7 staff who are currently working as casuals but he will tried hard as possible to get permanent employment.
