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Published on 2024-03-11 09:38:00
The 2020 audit report on the Gambia Ports Authority has uncovered significant procurement issues, including the purchase of mobile phones for management totaling D1.9 million. Presented before the plenary at the National Assembly on Thursday, the chairman of the Public Enterprises Committee, Lamin J Sanneh, highlighted these issues in his committee’s report on the activities and audited financial statements of SOEs for 2019 and 2020.
The committee pointed out that the procurement method for the mobile phones was not justified according to Gambia Public Procurement Authority rules. Additionally, the argument that the purchase was conducted under urgency was not sufficient to justify the violation of procurement guidelines. The auditors also identified discrepancies between the amount confirmed by the supplier and the amount recorded in the general ledger for “the payable.”
In terms of revenue matters, the committee noted a debit of D5 million granted to customers in the form of discounts without evidence to verify the names of the customers. There was also a debit transaction amounting to D129 million in the Authority’s revenue ledger related to waivers granted on various cargo handling charges. The committee recommended that waivers granted to customers be properly accounted for in compliance with general accounting principles.
Regarding the Ferry Services, the committee observed that 55 percent of the total revenue goes to human resources, which was deemed as a high employment cost. They recommended that the ferry’s management strategize to manage personnel costs at an acceptable level. Inconsistencies in headcounts were also noted, with the auditors identifying discrepancies in the signatures of staff, leading to the recommendation for another headcount to ensure personnel are present and working as per the payroll.
In the audited accounts for the period under review (2020), an amount of D17.5 million was paid to employees of the company as a bonus. The committee discussed with the management the need for a review of the bonus policy to determine eligibility and the company’s target for bonus payment procedures. It was confirmed that the bonus policy was not maintained.
Overall, the audit report raises concerns about procurement practices, revenue management, personnel costs, and bonus policies within the Gambia Ports Authority and Ferry Services. The committee’s recommendations emphasize the need for adherence to procurement guidelines, proper accounting for waivers and discounts, effective management of personnel costs, and the establishment of clear bonus payment procedures. The findings of the audit report call for increased transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the operations of these entities to ensure public funds are used effectively.
Read the original article on The Standard
