A recent post-mortem report regarding the procurement of 50 “brand new customized” Waka Fine buses has unveiled significant failures in procurement, ownership, and management involving the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA), Metro Transport Company (MTC), Transport Companies (TCs), and the World Bank.

Edmond Abu, Executive Officer of Native Consortium S/L, revealed that the 40-seater buses, designed to accommodate 35 standing passengers, were acquired for $7 million. This equates to $140,000 per bus based on Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF), alongside $500,000 allocated for spare parts, according to statements made by the MoT and provided contract documents.

The report raises doubts about the actual status of the buses, questioning whether they are genuinely new or merely refurbished. It cites troubling mechanical problems and high mileages recorded upon their arrival in 2023.

Compiled by the National Consortium for Road Safety and Transport Compliance (NCRC) after nearly two years of thorough field monitoring, analysis of traffic stops and terminals in the Western Area, along with reviews of procurement documentation and public announcements, the report calls for accountability regarding a total revenue of Le150 million (approximately $6.3 million) generated between 2nd February 2024 and 30th September 2026 a timeframe of 31 months.

A particular focus is placed on the 20% Fleet Renewal contribution, amounting to Le30 million (roughly $1.2 million USD). The report points out that the SLPTA Director General publicly indicated that Le12 million is held in a bank, yet neither MTC nor SLPTA has replaced a single bus, with 11 buses currently non-operational.

Additionally, the report outlines a staggering 179% decline in revenue from May 2025 to September 2026. The once-operational buses are now remaining afloat solely due to government subsidies received in the last three months.

The Consortium mentioned that in May 2025, it alerted the World Bank Country Manager regarding 14 grounded buses and recommended withholding the final 10% payment to the supplier until the Defect Liability Clause and warranty were fulfilled. However, it remains unclear if any action was taken based on this advisory.

Furthermore, the report criticizes both MoT and SLPTA for overcharging the public, with fares set at nearly double the existing commercial rates. Initially, SLPTA started charging Le10 for journeys from Calaba Town/Lumley to the Central Bus Station, while commercial buses (Poda-Poda) charged only Le5. Similarly, Le9 was demanded for trips from Waterloo to CBD, despite the distance and toll, provoking public discontent.

The report thoroughly examines the commission rates ranging from 25% to 31% that were paid to the ticketing company PLUNEGE Ltd between February and July 2024. This concern eventually escalated to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), leading to the termination of the contract in June 2024. It highlights that PLUNEGE’s tickets were essentially replicable “Monkey Tickets,” pointing out that no reputable digital ticketing company in the world charges more than 8% to 10% of total revenue.

The National Citizens’ Rights Coalition (NCRC) is urging Parliament and relevant authorities to act. They intend to submit a formal complaint to the World Bank headquarters in Washington, providing evidence of systemic failure, and plan to pursue all legal avenues to hold the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Authority (SLPTA) accountable if any further funds are mismanaged.

This post-mortem is characterized as an independent citizens’ performance audit. It specifies that the reported figures must be reconciled with procurement documentation, acceptance records, inspection reports, dispatch logs, ticketing data, bank statements, and audited accounts.