Mr Touray, whose office audited the government financial report for 2011, told lawmakers that: “As in the previous years, Treasury Directorate’s inability to provide supporting documentation, information and explanations on a timely basis was the most significant obstacle to our audit of the 2011 financial statements. Our ability to secure evidence in support of all the auditing assertions but particularly completeness, accuracy and regularity of transaction included in the financial statements was impeded.”
The auditor general who appeared alongside finance Ministry Permanent Secretary, Abdoulie Jallow with his senior management team revealed to PAC/PEC members that payment vouchers for D6, 129,930.24 were not presented for audit in contravention of the Financial Instructions. “During the year, payments for other charges totaling D2, 073,017.07 were made without adequate supporting documents. I also identified funds amounting D796, 879.26 held for government in various commercial banks, which were not disclosed as cash balances in financial statements. Loans documents amounting to D1, 813, 841.000 were not presented for audit. GRA tax arrears for the financial year 2011 were not disclosed in the financial statements. Revenue vouchers totaling D11, 010,233.58 were not presented for audit during the audit period.”
He added: “…In forming my opinion I have evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of the information in the financial statements. However, the scope of my audit was limited… I did not receive appropriate and sufficient information to confirm the occurrence, completeness, accuracy, rights and obligations, valuations and existence of these transactions.
“As in the financial statements for 2009 and 2010, non-urgent and foreseen expenditure were made from the Contingency Fund in 2011, in contravention to the constitution of the Republic of The Gambia. Government Budget Management and Accountability Act (GBMAA) section 42 (K) requires the inclusion of a summary statement of stores and other assets at the end of the financial year. This was not done in these financial statements. GBMAA section 42 (d) requires the inclusion of a summary of the outstanding public debt, both external and domestic, shown in terms of debt instruments and debt holders. This was not done in these financial statements. Section 39 (1) of the GBMAA requires the department of state to maintain a detailed records of the government debts. This was not done in these financial statements.”
Mr Touray reappeared before the committee yesterday and took questions.
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