FPAC Tasks OVP to Ensure GBoS Provides Payment Vouchers of D450,890

By Kebba AF Touray

The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), has tasked the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to ensure the implementation of a resolution for the provision of payment vouchers by the Director of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS). 

The payment vouchers, as stated by the committee, amount to four hundred and fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety Dalasi (D450,890.00.

FPAC assigned this task to the vice presidency in its latest update on the execution of the resolutions made by the National Assembly regarding imprest and the COVID-19 relief funds.

“The Director of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) must ensure that some payment vouchers amounting to GMD 450,890.00 that were not presented for audit inspection, are provided to the auditors on or before 28^th September 2023, failure of which the Inspector General of Police must launch an investigation immediately and report to the FPAC within 90 days,’’ FPAC said, further indicating that at the time of the tabling the latest update, the Office of the Vice President did not provide the Committee any update on the status of this resolution, and tasks the Vice President’s Office to ensure the implementation of the resolution.

FPAC also updated Parliament on the resolution regarding the Director of Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) and challenged the Director to ensure that the monies involved in a fraud case concerning fuel coupons defrauded by their staff, be fully recovered on or before the 28 of September 2023, failure of which, the Inspector General of Police must launch an investigation for possible prosecution within 90 days. FPAC explained that updates from GCCPC indicated that a copy of the letter addressed to the culprits indicated a change of due date from 30^th November 2023 to 28th September 2023 was submitted, and the amount involved was fully recovered.

“The matter will be further verified by NAO during subsequent audits. No further action is needed. The matter is resolved,” FPAC confirmed in their report. 

It resolved that the Judiciary prepare its account from the year ended 31 December 2016 to the year ended 31st December 2022, and submit them to the Auditor General’s Office for audit on or before 31st December 2023. 

FPAC further said that the National Audit Office (NAO) is currently auditing the Accounts of the Judiciary and that no further action is needed as the matter has now been resolved.