The Auditor General’s Report for the 2024 financial year has raised concerns about how money was spent and recorded at the Office of the Chief Minister.
The report says bank withdrawals totalling NLe12.47 million were made without proper payment vouchers and supporting documents. After the audit began, most of the documents were provided. However, NLe800,000 linked to demolition of illegal structures at the peninsula and a military demobilisation exercise at Number Two River was still not supported by expenditure returns.
Auditors also found that procurement documents for goods and services worth NLe4.78 million were not submitted for inspection. These documents are needed to show fair competition and value for money. While most records were later submitted, documents for NLe445,106.75, covering items such as T-shirts, cleaning detergents and biscuits, are still missing.
The report further revealed that 18 staff members could not be physically verified during the audit. This raised fears that government salaries might be paid to non-existing workers. Management explained that many of the staff were on special assignments, transferred, dismissed, or out of the country.
After review, auditors said four staff members were still not verified. Salaries totalling NLe76,896 were paid to these individuals during the period under review.
The Auditor General said most of the issues were “substantially resolved” but warned that outstanding matters could still attract further action.
