By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay and Mabinty M. Kamara
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced that it would examine the content of the 2018 Auditor General’s report and act on it where appropriate.
In a statement released by the anti-graft body on Thursday, it said it would look for possible corrupt offences and collaborate with Parliament to address some of the issues in the report.
The Auditor General’s report summarizes the results of the financial compliance and performance undertaken on Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
The 2018 report, which was released on Wednesday, showed that over Le140 billion was not properly accounted for by MDAs.
Some of the missing money in this report are said to be backlog of outstanding monies that were yet to be accounted for since 2014.
In its statement, ACC said: “As the institution charged with the responsibility of enforcing Accountability in Public Life, the ACC is now examining the aforesaid Report with a view to ascertaining any breaches of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 or needs for intervention by the ACC at this stage; and/or identify system lapses within the audited institutions for appropriate action.”
The report did not only state losses, but it also highlighted the significant increase in government spending, despite the government’s pledge to control public expenditure. It states that government expenditure increased in 2018 by 7%, from Le5.2 billion in 2017 to Le5.5 billion in 2018. It also found evidence that the Ministry of Finance still processed transactions without adequate documentation.
“We reviewed selected payments made through the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and the Financial Secretary’s letters and noted that transactions were still processed without adequate documentation,” part of the report reads.
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) were also found culpable in their handling of tax revenues. The report states that revenue generated by the Authority increased by 43% in 2018 from Le3.2 billion in 2017 to Le4.5 billion.
“It is worth noting that even though reconciliation was carried out between the NRA and the Accountant General’s Department in respect of revenue transferred into the Consolidated Fund, there was no evidence of it being performed between the NRA and the transit banks,” the report says.
The report was been laid in the well of Parliament on Thursday. Parliament has gone on recess till the New Year. When Parliamentarians return, they are expected to debate it and enforce the implementation of the recommendations.
Parliament has been accused for over a decade of shoving aside the recommendations of the Audit Report. They have also been on a collision course at times with the ACC in the past regarding who should act first on the report.
In ACC’s statement on Thursday, it promised to work closely with Parliament on the 2018 report.
“The Commission is also cognizant of the role of Parliament regarding this issue and it shall be collaborating with same interest of prudent financial management of the country.”
Despite this seeming cooperation, ACC said it would be stern in prosecuting those who are suspected of being corrupt.
“The ACC attaches utmost importance to the judicious use of monies and other resources meant for the People of Sierra Leone. Therefore, it wishes to make it abundantly clear that anyone found wanting shall face the full force of the law as will be appropriate with no exceptions,” it said.
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