By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a Media Release issued by the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) dated 16th February, 2023 it was stated that the anti graft institution in a Second (2nd) Serialized Media Release provides further update and informs the general public, on the actions taken so far on issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2021.
According to the ACC, those interventions focused on aspects of possible or alleged corruption and conducts inconsistent with the provision(s) in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019.
The ACC said after a thorough review and analysis of the aforementioned Report, the Commission initiated actions; with a view to investigating, prosecuting, or recovering of public funds, public revenue, public property, as may be necessary, in accordance with Sections 7, and 48 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019, respectively.
The Commission stated that as of 16th February, 2023 it recovered Public Resources in the total sum of Two Billion, Thirty Six Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones, and Six (Old) Cents (Le2,036,665,607.6), an additional Twenty Three Million (Old) Leones of monies recovered as contained in Media Release No1.
The ACC stated that the Audit Report of 2021 revealed that; in June 2021, the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA) awarded contract to IN2 Sierra Leone LTD for the supply of two (2) buses and one (1) Toyota Land Cruiser at the total cost of One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Five Hundred (Old) Leones (Le.1,613,368,500) and 30% Advance Payment of Four Hundred and Eight Three Million (Old) Leones (Le 483,000,000) was made, but the vehicles were not delivered.
The ACC revealed that its investigation established that SLPA awarded to IN2 Sierra Leone LTD the contract for the supply of two (2) buses and one (1) Toyota Land Cruiser and 30% Advance Payment was made to the Contractor who failed to deliver the vehicles.
That IN2 Sierra Leone LTD has agreed to refund to the Commission in full the money received as Advance Payment for the contract.
According to the ACC, payment in the sum of One Hundred and Sixty Nine Million (Old) Leones (Le 169,000,000) has been made to the Commission, as part payment by officials of IN2 Sierra Leone LTD. The balance of Three Hundred and Fourteen Million (Old) Leones (Le 314, 000,000) should be paid on or before the 28th February, 2023.
Again the ACC said the Audit Report of 2021 also highlighted that, the National Minerals Agency (NMA) deducted a total sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Ninety Six (Old) Leones and Thirty Nine Cents (Le 399,579,096.39) as Withholding Tax in 2021, but receipts submitted and verified amounted to Two Hundred and Thirty One Million, Six Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Seventy Four Leones and Thirty Nine Cents (Le 231,613,074.39) leaving a balance of Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le29, 328,000) for which no receipts were submitted for verification.
Further stated was that the NMA paid the sum of Two Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand and Fifty Six (Old) Leones (Le 293,460,056) as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), but receipts submitted and verified only supported the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Three Million, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Nine (Old) Leones (Le 133,919,149) with a balance of One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907).
The ACC investigation revealed that it was true that, the receipts for the alleged documents were not provided to the Auditors for verification.
It also established that both the Withholding Tax of Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le 29,328,000) and the PAYE of One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907) have been paid by the NMA.
The ACC said Receipts submitted have been verified with NRA to be authentic.
Going forward, it was instructed by the ACC that the NMA should ensure it adheres to the tax obligations during every financial year.
In that regard, the File has been accordingly recommended for closure, since the Twenty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand (Old) Leones (Le 29,328,000) and the One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven (Old) Leones (Le 159,540,907) have been paid to the NRA, as Withholding Tax and PAYE respectively.
Moreover, the Audit Report of 2021 further revealed that the Bombali District Council failed to deduct and pay to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Withholding Tax amounting to Nine Million, Two Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, and Six (Old) Leones (Le 9,219,006).
The ACC investigation however confirmed that the said Withholding Tax has been paid to the NRA and copies of receipts have been produced to the Investigators and same have been verified and confirmed by NRA authorities in Makeni. In that regard, the file has been accordingly closed.
It was also highlighted in the Audit Report of 2021 that payment to the tune of Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty (Old) Leones (Le 57,684,620) was made to a Contractor for the construction of mini grain store at Bottom Oku, Wellington, Freetown, but that the project work was not implemented.
The ACC investigation established that the FCC awarded a contract to one Donald Walters for the construction of mini grain store at Bottom Oku, Wellington, in Freetown. The contract was not implemented by the contractor but has agreed to refund to the Commission in three equal tranches, effective February 2023, the full amount paid to him.
The ACC has therefore instructed that the full refund of the Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty (Old) Leones (Le57, 684,620) be made to the ACC by the Contractor, effective February, 2023.
The Commission stated that it shall continue to promptly update the public through Media Releases on its interventions in regard the Auditor General’s Reports of Sierra Leone.
In the spirit of collaboration and support, the ACC continues to thank and appreciate Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) for their diligence and commitment in combating corruption in Sierra Leone and Parliament for their sustained and unflinching support.
