National Consortium On Accountability Exonerates SLRSA

In a press release issued by the National Consortium on Accountability, it was disclosed that the investigation mounted by the Consortium discovered that the allegations of missing funds to the tune of Le12, 873,855. 25 billion at the account of the SLRSA is as a result of the failure of the Union Trust Bank in Kenema to post the money into the account of the SLRSA prior to the conduct of the Audit by Audit Sierra Leone, as a result, at the time of the audit, the said amount did not reflect in the account. The Consortium observed that the Bank is trying to rectify the situation and acknowledge receipt of the said amount in their custody, and is being posted into the SLRSA account. As a result, the queries raised by the Audit Report has been adequately addressed and the SLRSA is clear of any wrong doing.

See press release below:

  PRESS RELEASE                 

NATIONAL CONSORTIUM ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY PRESENTS FACTS ON THE

ALLEGED PUBLICATIONS ON THE MEDIA ABOUT SIERRA LEONE ROADS SAFETY AUTHORITY

National Consortium on Public Accountability works with local actors to promote transparency and accountability and advocate on issues not limited to financial probity, judicious use of public funds, tranquility and peaceful cohesion.

National Consortium on Public Accountability is obliged with proclivity to clarify and set the records straight about the allegations against the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority in respect of funds deposited at the Union Trust Bank at Kenema Branch which was not properly recorded by their staff at the time of Auditor General’s report. The publication in the Forum Newspaper and different outlets stated that Sierra Leone Road Authority mismanaged the sum of Le12, 873,855. 25 billion which in our own findings is believed to be fallacious, erroneous and untrue.

The Consortium through its findings and investigations is obliged to present the facts about the Auditor General’s report. On the 24^th January 2024, the Consortium undertook an investigation in order to ascertain the evidence mentioned contained therein in the Auditor’s report. We analysed the report and engaged the key players whose names were mentioned in the report. The team engaged the Director of Finance, Executive Director and the Kenema Branch of SLRSA on the authenticity of the report. Of course, it was justified by the Director of Finance with sufficient evidence in order to clarify the Consortium’s concern in the Auditor General’s report.

Below are some of the extracts from the Auditor General’s report:

1. Payment without supporting documents: documents such as evidence based photos, video, receipts, invoices, delivery notes, distribution lists, air tickets, and service level agreements were contained in the Auditor’s report. We perused the authenticity of the documents and observed that all were correct and intact.
2. Ineffective management and control of property, plant and equipment: upon review of the note of financial statement relating to property, plant and equipment that the negative carrying the motor vehicles, furniture and equipment worth SLE 9,341 and SLE 3,096 respectively were observed by the Consortium and the Auditor General’s report. Thus the necessary adjustments were made immediately after the 2022 Auditors report.
3. Management of revenue from the review of revenue management system: according to the Auditor’s report and findings from the Consortium, we noted few discrepancies in the Kenema Branch. Financial statement documents on the issuance of license that were stamped and signed by the bank (UTB) were misplaced by the staff of the SLRSA in order to authenticate the exact amount in the bank.
4. From all indications, the team could not lay hands on the supporting documents of amount totaling SLE 212, 700.00 was for clamping circulation permits and traffic offences. When contacted the Union Trust Bank (UTB) about the said amount, we were told that indeed SLE212, 700.00 is in their possession, but processing of documentation is ongoing in order to fasttrack the payment to SLRSA accounts.

In conclusion, the CSO Consortium on Public Accountability would like to allay the fears of the general public that the Executive Director and the general management of SLRSA are credible, trust worthy, composmentis and fit as a fiddle in manning the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority.

Signed by:

…………………….

Ahmed M. Yillah Team Lead.