The Public Accounts Committee in Parliament on Tuesday investigated several ministries, departments and agencies in Kenema District in relation to financial management reported by the Audit Service, Sierra Leone
The list of MDAs includes the Kenema Government Hospital, Ministries of Mines and Mineral Resources and Housing in the East, Provincial Secretary’s Office East, Kenema District Medical Office, Eastern Polytechnic and the Magistrate Court in Kenema.
The committee noted that during their engagements, George Banya, a secretary in the Provincial Secretary’s Office was unable to account for Le 100,000,000 for the period of 2011.
The committee quoted Banya as saying that the money was given to the Resident Minister for use without proper documentation and signatures. They said documents for the use of the money should be submitted or actions would be taken against those responsible.
As for Eastern Polytechnic, they cited poor financial management and monies not accounted for. They said that the Principal of the college, Dr. Sandy Bockarie defended the institution by saying that funds to the tune of Le 800 million earmarked for the development of the institution was never disbursed to him.
The committee also questioned the District Medical Officer of the Kenema Government Hospital and his staff on issues raised by the Audit Service report.
On the whole, they observed, that monies were expended by the MDAs without proper documentation.
