Leakages Turn “Samba Gutter…” *2018- Le56.2B *2019- Le177.5B *2020- Le153.9B *2021- Le171B *2022- Le327 B

By Aruna Momoh Kargbo
Like previous audit reports, the recent Auditor General’s report which looks into the public purse of Sierra Leone shows that there is massive and persistent corruption in Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA).

The 2022 Audit report shows huge corruption in Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), recording a total cash loss of Le327 B which remains unaccounted for due to financial irregularities.
Sierra Leone recorded a total cash loss of Le56.2B, Le177.5B, Le153.9B, and Le179B in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

“We continue to identify lapses in the audit of ministries and departments for the year ended 31st December, 2022,” the 2022 Audit Report stated.

The report furthered that instance of such lapses are related to: assets and stores not brought to account, contract and procurement management, withdrawals and allocations expended without supporting documents, statutory deductions not paid to the NRA, salaries and payroll management, management of revenue, imprest/advances not retired to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The report revealed that corruption continues to grow as cash loses increase year in year from one Audit report to the other showing a pool of mismanagement of state resources.