By: Kebba AF Touray
The Public Enterprise Committee of the National Assembly (PEC) has tasked the Auditor General to investigate the status of US1,845,500 (approximately Thirty-Seven Million Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand One Hundred Dalasi and Thirty-Four bututs (D37,792,100.34), which was omitted from GRTS’ payable records.
PEC made this recommendation in its resolutions which were made on its reports of the State-Owned Enterprises on their financial transactions of 2020 fiscal year.
The committee passed these resolutions on SOEs such as GRTS, NAWEC, AMRC, GNPC NFSPCM among others on Thursday 21st March, 2024, which was tabled and passed by the plenary after it was tabled by the Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Lamin J Sanneh.
GAMBIA RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICE REPORT (GRTS)
“The committee resolved that the Auditor General must investigate the status of $1,845,500 (D37,792,100.34) from SSHFC which was omitted from GRTS’s payable records and report back to the Committee by the end of July 2024. 5. That the Board and Management must investigate and reconcile the noted difference of D555,572.92 in their payables at the end of June 2024,” he said.
ASSETS MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY CORPORATION (AMRC)
The assembly committee said the Board and Management must put in place adequate disaster recovery plans to ascertain swift restoration of systems and operations. He added that the Board and Management must ensure that all valuable assets of the Corporation are adequately insured not later than the end of December, 2024.That the Ministry of Finance, Board and Management must put in place an effective payment plan to recover all outstanding loans.
GAMBIA POSTAL SERVICES CORPORATION (GAMPOST) 2020 REPORTS
He said the Board and Management must develop an integrated enterprise resource planning and a comprehensive ICT policy that will set out the rules and procedures for all employees no later than December, 2024. The Board and Management must ensure that there is a proper box management system in place by December, 2024. He reported that the Board and Management must ensure that a joint stock count is conducted annually by the storekeeper and the Internal Audit unit and a periodic reconciliation of the General Ledger to the store’s record.
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY PROCESSING & MARKETING CORPORATION (NFSP&MC)
He said PEC resolved that the SOE Commission, Board and Management must strategize and consider improving its financial performance in order for the organization to continue business. PEC Chair Sanneh said the Government, Board and Management must put up strategies and ensure that there is always adequate farmer stock to remain consistent with its core business of wholesale buying and exporting of the country’s groundnuts annually. He said the Board and Management must put up strategies to avoid taking overdrafts where possible and ensure that a documented policy is put in place to make it possible.
GAMBIA PORTS AUTHORITY/GAMBIA FERRY SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED (GPA/GFSC)
He said the Board and Management must prepare formalized policies and procedures on loans granted to dockworkers at the end of December, 2024, adding that immediately, the Board and Management must desist from using donation vote as incentive to staff and must ensure that GPPA procurement guidelines are strictly adhered to. Chair Sanneh said the Board and Management must ensure that the differences noted between the payable balance and the confirmed balance be investigated and reconciled with the relevant suppliers.
GFSC 2020 REPORTS
He said the Board and Management must ensure all overdrafts are supported with agreements/facility letters and the bank account in the name of GPA to be regularized to bear the correct name at the latest end July 2024. He explained that the Board and Management must ensure there is an up-to-date loan policy latest end December, 2024 and follow up on these existing ex-staff loans and that going forward, the Board and Management must ensure personnel from the internal audit unit witness the fuel delivery and sign off the fuel delivery forms.
GAMBIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (GNPC)
He said the PEC resolved that the Board and Management must ensure that the Fixed Assets Register is up-to-date. That the Board and Management must complete the legal paperwork of all the Stations and must ensure that Title Deeds are obtained latest 31st December, 2024. Going forward, they recommended the Board and Management to adopt strict policies in stock losses and must ensure that surcharges are levied instantly to recover any losses from individuals found wanting.
GAMBIA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES (GIA)
He said the committee resolved that the Board and Management must ensure that the differences of D842,074 is investigated and furnish the Committee with details at the latest end June 2024. He reported that the Board and Management must seek legal advice before writing down the long-standing payable balance of D26,709,147.40.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (SSHFC)
The committee resolved that the Board and Management must enforce regular review and reconciliation of the contribution arrears schedule. He added that the Board and Management must ensure that Title Deeds for all properties of SSHFC are obtained on or before November 2024, tasking the Board and Management to ensure that the Corporation keeps an up-to-date fixed Asset Register latest June 2024.
NATIONAL WATER AND ELECTRICITY COMPANY LIMITED
He stated that the committee resolved that immediately, the Management cancels the overdraft facility of D77.2m considering the fact that the Company has a huge cash balance that can be used for its operation. The committee resolved that the Board investigates the net variances of D34.7 million and adjustments to the books are made accordingly on or before 30th June 2024.
“That the Board must investigate the manual journal postings made into the account totaling D569,895,320 net and provide supporting documents to those adjustments to the Auditor General for verification on or before 31st May 2024,” it recommended.
GAMBIA PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CORPORATION (GPPC)
He said that the committee resolved that by December 2024, the Board and Management must ensure that GPPC adequately insure its fixed assets to mitigate risks. The committee reported that the Board and Management should ensure that all statutory deductions are done and on time to avoid the risk of penalties being imposed on the Corporation.
GAMBIA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (GCAA)
He reported that the committee resolved that the Board and Management must ensure that all Travel Agencies are registered with GCAA and enforcement action taken for those that failed to register by end June 2024. The committee reported that the Auditor General conduct a special audit on the overdraft facility and financing facility with Mega Bank Gambia Ltd and Zenith bank Gambia Ltd respectively and report back to the Committee latest 30th September, 2024.
