By Donstance Koroma
The recent published 2017 audited report by the Audit Service Commission have revealed that thirty seven billion leones Le37b have been cash losses to the public purse, which the report attributed to the perennial problem of payment without adequate supporting documents in most Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The 2017 audited report also pointed payments without supporting documents in some MDAs, with significant weaknesses in the management of revenue in most of 16 revenue generating entities.
The report also noted, in some cases, that withholding taxes were not being deducted from suppliers or contractor payment.
Significant lapses were observed in procurement procedures, resulting in incomplete transactions and therefore unsatisfactory service delivery with fixed assets, stores and fuel records not adequately recorded in applicable registers and other records.
The 2017 audited report identify reluctance in making available requested documents to the audit for review.
According to the report, the Public Account Committee (PAC) has a fundamental role to play in seeing that appropriate action is taken on recommendation as section 119 (5) of the constitution states that Parliament “shall debate the report of the Auditor General and appoint where necessary, in the public interest, a committee to deal with any matters arising from the report”.