SLRSA in High Risk Corruption Scandal
By Donstance Koroma
Audit Service Sierra Leone has in their 2022 audited report unearthed high risk corruption rocking the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA).
According to the audit report, the authority stands accused of making payment without supporting documents. The report further maintained that payment totaling SLE 3,473,266.63 were made for various service deliveries without adequate evidential documents such as receipts, invoices, delivery notes, distribution lists, air tickets and service level agreement.
What also remains disturbing is the payment made by the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority as Corporate Social Responsibility without expenditure returns. A total of SLE 584,785 paid as Corporate Social Responsibility, however, the auditors could not understand the basis upon which these payments were made, as they did not fall within the normal operations of the authority.
Against this background, the Audit Service has recommended that the Finance Director provides justification upon which the Corporate Social Responsibility were made, otherwise, the amount spent be refunded.
” Expenditures on Corporate Social Responsibility should always target activities outside the entity core mandate” Auditor’s comment.
The Auditor’s comment continues that the Authority to expend money on the deaf and dumb and accident victims could be considered as expenditures on Corporate Social Responsibility.
The report further maintained that sensitization of bike riders and the popularization of the Authority’s key products form part of the institution’s core functions and would therefore not be considered as expenditure on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
With regards management and control of property, plants and equipment was referred to by Audit Service as ineffective
According to the Auditor’s comment, evidence to indicate that adjustments have been made to the negative balance was not made available.
It was further detected that clients specific deposit, unpaid fines and PAYE taxes deduction were not incorporated in the financial Authority’s statements according to the 2022 Audit Report.
