VIP Supplies Rice Despite Seven-Month Unpaid Bills
VIP Sierra Leone Limited has committed to supplying NLe20 million worth of rice for August 2026 to the Sierra Leone Police, despite outstanding payments for seven consecutive months of previous deliveries.
The agreement was reached on Friday, November 6, during a meeting with Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, alongside representatives from the Financial Secretary and police authorities.
During the session, VIP highlighted that payments for supplies delivered between January and July 2026 remain unpaid despite the company continuing its contractual duties. The committee acknowledged VIP's dedication to maintaining supply chains for police personnel and assured the contractor it would engage the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the settlement of all outstanding invoices.
Discussions also reviewed contract pricing, noting that while the contractual rate per bag is NLe900—netting VIP NLe840 after tax deductions—the prevailing market price stands at NLe750.
Concerned for the welfare of officers dependent on these rations, the PAC affirmed it will continue working with financial authorities to achieve an amicable resolution while keeping deliveries active.
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