$60 MILLION FOR GHOST ROADS
…HOW ALIMU BARRIE CRASHED SL BUDGET
Alimu Barrie is quickly becoming a name everyone knows—not for his groundbreaking ideas or contributions to the nation, but for the controversies swirling around him. Known as the highest-paid contractor in Sierra Leone’s history, Barrie and his construction firm, Pavifort, are at the center of a financial storm that has rattled the country’s economy and led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to hit pause on its dealings with the Sierra Leonean government.
There are whispers that Barrie has strong connections with the First Lady of Sierra Leone, with claims that she pushed for him to land significant infrastructure contracts both in The Gambia and at home. Others argue he’s just a savvy businessman who knows how to work the political scene. Regardless of where you stand, one thing is undeniable: his recent financial windfall has thrown the national budget into chaos.
In November, Pavifort reportedly received an eye-popping payment of $60 million—a jaw-dropping amount, especially in a country where essential service providers like Karpowership and other state contractors are struggling to get their dues. This payment, allegedly greenlit by State House, raised eyebrows throughout Sierra Leone’s financial community and sent shockwaves among international observers.
What’s even more concerning is that this hefty payout was supposedly for road construction projects, many of which either don’t exist or haven’t been verified on the ground. The IMF flagged this as part of a troubling trend of budget overruns on road projects between November and December 2024.
In light of this, the IMF decided to suspend its program with Sierra Leone and pushed back its review mission that was initially set for April. During their staff visit, the IMF pointed out the government’s failure to hit crucial fiscal targets and insisted on corrective measures before any further collaboration. The next review has now been postponed to June 2025—a pivotal moment for a government already grappling with revenue shortfalls while continuing to overspend.
The IMF’s suspension is creating a ripple effect: other key financial players, like the World Bank, have also put their support on hold until further notice. This leaves the government in a tight spot, struggling to secure essential budget support just when public expectations and developmental needs are soaring. The real issue at hand goes beyond Alimu Barrie and his millions; it’s about accountability, transparency, and whether the government is truly putting the nation’s interests ahead of personal profits.