By Amin Kef (Ranger)
It has been observed of late that one of the ways through which public funds are diverted into private coffers within Ministries, Departments and Agencies is the issuance of cheques to individuals or entities as well as making cash payments, using public funds, without adequate supporting documents.
This anomaly was conspicuously noticed within the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources as it was observed that during a specific period in 2021 certain officials of the Ministry issued cheque and cash payments to staff of the Ministry and suppliers totaling Le928,867,439 but not supported with expenditure returns such as invoices, receipts and signed list of beneficiaries.
When the Senior Accountant within the Ministry was asked why the supporting documents to justify the utilization of funds were missing, he responded that the aforementioned documents are now available for inspection.
However, when the documents were closely examined to justify the utilization of expenditures totaling Le859,932,439 for the period under review were closely looked at it was noticed that a balance of Le68,935,000 could not be accounted for as adequate supporting documents were not available to be examined.
What this portends is that something fishy may have transpired in which the Senior Accountant could have machinated single handedly or in partnership with other top Civil Servants in the Ministry.
Whether the said amount is in limbo or could be refunded by the Senior Accountant in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources is something that is to be seen materialize otherwise it going to be another vital resource that has gone down the drain to benefit just one man or a few instead of the State.
More on this as investigation Continues.
