By Musa Paul Feika
During a probe into the 2021/2022 Auditor General’s report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, it was unearthed that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) completely flouts the Government Vehicle Fleet Policy.
This was revealed when the MoHS was summoned to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report regarding the Government Vehicle Fleet Policy.
It could be recalled that the said policy was rolled out by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation back in 2021 with the aim to providing the strategic framework for reducing capital, maintenance and running cost of government vehicles to ensure mobility and operational efficiency to eligible government employees.
Amongst the many queries representatives of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) had to respond to at the public hearing related to the Auditor General’s Report was why they do not license their vehicles.
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh noted that most government vehicles are not licensed and insured and that those that are licensed are done with a third party. The issue was raised on 11th September 2024 during the hearing on the Auditor General’s report of 2021.
Hon. Conteh said the issue is a major problem across government, stressing that it is not just the licensing and went on to reference the ‘Waka’ fine buses.
He said vehicles are insured but that it is done with a third party, referring to such an act as very risky. He noted that even though it is expensive to insure under the Comprehensive Insurance Policy, but maintained that it is safer to do so, in case of recovery in the event, the vehicle is damaged and there would be a recourse to get another.
He narrated that he has seen government vehicles involved in accidents with no recovery insurance because they have no third party insurance covers. “This is a serious issue that we need to address,” he said.
It was recommended by audit team that the Transport Officer in the Ministry of Transport ensures that all Government vehicles are immediately licensed and insured.