By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Anti-Corruption Commission ACC has criticized the performances of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) based on the 2021 Auditor General’s report which claims huge sums money got misappropriated by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala,told a press conference arranged by the commission that like other previous Auditor General’s report in Sierra Leone, the report presents anomalies related to institutions dealing with public resources.
He emphasized that due to the failure of administrative responsibilities at various levels, there is an estimated loss in 14 councils in the country of Le 5.6 billion (five billion, six hundred thousand old Leones) from the auditor’s report.
PortLoko District Council Le 2.3 billion, Kambia District Council Le 1.4 billion, Tonkolili district council Le 1 billion, Freetown City Council Le 384 million, Makeni City Council Le 96 million were some of the local councils named.
He said that certain issues identified from the report are so straight forward that they have been labeled as quick fix problems where individuals found wanting could have provided solutions, or they should be held accountable.
Commissioner Kaifala highlighted that, for five districts councils, motorbikes meant for the waste management units were not delivered and they are quick fix issues where somebody can quickly answer why they did not deliver them. He said a fuel cost of Le 2.8 billion for Falaba Council was not properly accounted for and those issues are going to be investigated.
He stated that, MDAs have issues of withholding taxes which he said they are going to address very soon. He mentioned Councils like the Freetown City Council (FCC) that has issues of payment made but work not done which amounted to Le 87 million (eighty seven million old Leones).
The ACC boss pointed to tax liability as another issue in the 2021 audit report. He said, 14 (fourteen) tax liability issues were identified totaling 560,204,000,000 (five hundred and sixty billion, two hundred and four million old Leones).
He went on to say that, Le 15 billion (fifteen billion old Leones) was given as loan to Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA), Sierra Leone Postal Services (SALPOST), Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC) from the Central Bank which payment they failed to make after the agreement.
Kaifala also noted that, Revenue generating category was identified in the audit report with a total of 18 (eighteen) institutions targeted and the amount involved was Le 65 billion old Leones plus $132,000 (one hundred and thirty tow thousand dollars).
He stated that, since 2020, there are institutions that did not answer questions regarding revenue generated which include the Ministry of Fisheries Le1.3 billion, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning Le 3 billion, Le 1.7 billion, Le 220 million and Le 2.4 billion, the Administrator and Registrar General Le 73 billion.
He said that some of the institutions mentioned have been providing answers needed and that those meant to generate revenue for the State, for some reasons, opted to go contrary.
The ACC Commissioner noted that, Diplomatic missions have been running as if they are not part of the Republic of Sierra Leone. He said, they are not following finance processes and procedures.
He said in the 2021 Auditor General’s report, there is an estimated cash loss of $ 3.5 million dollars and another 184,000 Euros and 752,000 pounds respectively.
He said the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington could not account for $2,905,000 (two million, nine hundred and five thousand dollars), the Permanent Mission of the UN - $ 359,000 (three hundred and fifty nine thousand dollars), South Korea Embassy $ 185,000 (one hundred and eighty five thousand dollars), Germany $ 124,000 (one hundred and twenty four thousand dollars), Brussels $ 59,000 (fifty nine thousand dollars and the United Kingdom (UK) $ 751,000 (seven hundred and fifty one thousand dollars) .
He concluded by thanking the Acting Auditor General, Abdul Aziz, for “a professional job done”.
Copyright © Politico Online (09/01/23)
