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The Auditor General has queried the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for what he described as value-for-money not exercised in the use of public funds.
In 2021, the Ministry expended Le469 million (Le468,980,000) for the procurement of various items to enhance the effective operation of the Office of the Entertainment Ambassador. The team of auditors on the 24th August, 2022 visited the office and verified that the items were supplied; but at the time of the visit, the office had not been set up even though rent was paid since December 2021.
It was also strange to note that the assets procured and supplied were yet to be packed as the office setting requires; the carpet had not been completely fixed, the smart TV’s and generators were still in their boxes and other items such as desktop computers were yet to be fixed.
The Auditors recommended that the said amount be refunded into the Consolidated Fund.
In the Ministry’s official response, they stated that, upon the visit of the auditors to the entertainment office located at 58 Bathurst Street, Freetown, on 24th August, 2022, Francis F. Solokor was with them as the Entertainment business supporting the ambassador for entertainment and investment.
Coincidentally, they had work going on with the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone to shoot a video of a song for registration. Therefore, the office was not functional as expected.
“Few (pieces of) furniture meant for particularly the Ambassador’s office were still in their boxed because he was away in the United States of America and he wanted the setup of his office in his presence. Other than that, 90% of all furniture and computers were set up and in use. These included all ACs properly fixed and installed, conference table and chairs, office tables and chairs, water dispensers, laptop computers, stationery etc. Because we don’t have a budget for staff including cleaners, we often clean once every two weeks. This cost is from our pockets. Upon their visit, the office was not cleaned as expected as the cleaner’s timetable was two days after their visit” the Ministry said.
During Audit verification, the Auditor General noted management’s response to the Office of the Entertainment Ambassador. However, as at the time of completing the audit, the office was not put into use even though the sum of Le469 million had been expended on its effective operation. Therefore, this issue is unresolved.
