IBy Abdul Bero Kamara-
29th May 2025
How Alimu Sanu Barrie, the CEO of Pavi Fort, has managed to build a close relationship with Fatima Bio and the Presidency remains a mystery.
- Interestingly, Alimu Barrie was previously one of the favoured contractor in the private sector under former APC President Ernest Bai Koroma, where securing contracts was not an issue.
He notably constructed roads in Kabala township during the APC regime. This raises the question: is he aligned with the APC or the SLPP, or is he simply a businessman adept at navigating political landscapes to achieve his goals, regardless of which party is in power?
Fast forward to the present, Pavi Fort has been awarded some of the largest road construction projects across the country during the Bio presidency.
It’s important to note that doing business with the government carries significant risks at this time, as it struggles to generate enough revenue to meet its obligations.
The prevailing situation is that working with the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) usually means delayed payments, often not receiving the full amount owed.
However, reports indicate that Pavi Fort’s situation is different, as the government rarely owes Alimu Barrie any outstanding payments.
This raises further questions. Is it possible that those authorized to approve payment disbursements have been promised a percentage of the funds?
Considering the current economic challenges, it would be unreasonable for anyone to sign off on payments without assurance of receiving something substantial in return.
Until the Anti-Corruption Commission investigates why the statehouse authorized the disbursement of such a large amount to a single contractor, especially given the current difficult financial conditions of the government..
Therefore, citizens are likely to continue their assumptions and speculations.
Many believe that state officials both at statehouse and the Minitey of Finance may be involved and have a stake in the $67 million allocated to Pavo Fort for the construction of roads that never existed, especially given the current difficult financial conditions of the government..
Why IMF suspends Sierra Leone from its programs?
Over the years, the SLPP government has engaged in activities such as unnecessary spending and increasing the wage bill, which has stretched the government’s expenditures to an alarming extent. This situation has raised concerns for the IMF, which has been attempting to help stabilize the struggling economy.
On several occasions, the IMF has met with the government and advised measures to reduce extravagant spending. However, after multiple engagements, it appeared that the government was not following the recommendations provided by the IMF. In April, during an IMF visit to review the situation, it was observed that State House had authorized a disbursement of $67 million in November 2024 to Alimu Sanu Barrie for “invisible roads,” while many other contractors continued to struggle with unpaid bills from the government.
Why would the government disburse such a large sum to a single contractor at a time when it is facing significant challenges in generating revenue to cover its expenses?
Additionally, there are rumors suggesting that the First Lady, Fatima Bio, has a close relationship with the CEO of Pavi Fort and may have a stake in the company. Could this be the reason for the preferential treatment given to Alimu Barrie?
Ultimately, this situation warrants an investigation, and the public deserves clarity on why such a substantial amount was approved and disbursed, as well as the nature of the connection between the First Lady and Pavi Fort.
Until then the IMF is the Good, the Bad and the Ugly