Deputy Chairman of PAC, Hon. Lahai Marah observed that “the country is now moving forward because audit is gradually shifting its focus from financial to procedural and compliant audits”. He also informed auditees that according to provisions in the Audit Service Act of Sierra Leone “for failing to submit accountable documents to auditors and on conviction you are liable to seven years imprisonment or pay a fine of Le 20 Million”.

The Auditor General’s office was ably represented by Mohamed Mustapha, the Principal Auditor assigned to support the work of the PAC.

On the queries relating to diet contract and failure to account for 20 sewing machines for Tonkolili Government Hospital and Ministry of Social Welfare, the PAC has ordered the summons of the past and current Medical Superintendents, the past and current Chairman of Tonkolili District Council, the past and current Chief Administrators, the past and current Finance Officers, and the past and current Procurement Officers of the said Council, to Parliament not later than 15/04/19, or risk the matter being referred to the ACC for further investigations.

Amidst a plethora of other summons, all the past and current District Agriculture Officers in the North, South and Eastern Regions of the country have also been summoned to Parliament not later than Monday 15/04/19 at 10:00 AM to answer to the queries relating to their Districts in the 2017 Auditor General’s Report.

The queries abound include not maintaining fixed assets registers, theatre fees not accounted for, poor management of fuel, deplorable conditions in prisons for inmates being treated with neglect, non-payment of withholding taxes, assets and persons not seen for physical verification, payment without adequate supporting documents, non-submission of contract documents, ineffective fire engines, inadequate control, management and distribution of drugs, and inadequate control of the collection, recording and banking of revenue.