The Auditor General has recently released the 2022 Annual Report revealing financial irregularities totalling over SLE350 million across various entities, including Ministries and Departments, Public Enterprises, Local Councils, Diplomatic Missions, and General Purpose Financial Statement (GPFS).
The report, said to have been detailed finding put together and presented by Acting Auditor General, Abdul Aziz during the tabling of the report in Parliament, revealed irregularities amounting to SLE350,115,764. This figure includes SLE327,008,126, US$1,191,718, €4,746, and £39,526, converted based on the Central Bank’s average midrate as of December 2022 ($-18.6454, €-19.7343, and £-22.6636).
Acting Auditor General, Abdul Aziz noted the importance of independently confirming the existence of projects or programs implemented nationwide. He stressed the necessity of an adequately funded and well-resourced audit office for efficient, effective, and timely execution of the audit cycle. Aziz also highlighted the significance of maintaining optimal staffing levels to ensure continuous, quality, and sustainable audit operations.
The Acting Auditor General outlined the audit office’s commitment to a new approach aimed at enhancing audit outcomes, governance, and financial management. This strategy involves providing strategic and informative insights to assist the government in making informed decisions that positively impact citizens. Additionally, the audit scope has expanded to cover emerging areas such as the environment, climate change, information systems, and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Aziz expressed concern about the slow progress in the construction of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) headquarters building in Freetown, attributing the delay to funding disbursement issues.
The identified irregularities within the public financial management system include imprest not retired, non-payment of statutory deductions, deficiencies in assets and stores management, problems in payments/expenditure management, challenges in salary and payroll management, shortcomings in procurements and contracts management, and issues related to revenue management.