By Mohamed Kamara
A 2023 audit of the Ministry of Social Welfare in Sierra Leone has uncovered major discrepancies and issues related to the management of funds for Hajj services, the operation of remand homes, payroll discrepancies, and unverified fixed assets.
The audit points out several critical failures, raising concerns about financial transparency, management, and the welfare of inmates in the country’s remand facilities.
Hajj Services Payments: Missing Documentation Raises Concerns
The audit revealed that payments amounting to US$3,392,000 for the provision of Hajj services – covering accommodation, catering, honorarium, and transportation – were made without the required supporting documents such as invoices, receipts, and delivery notes.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has responded, stating that the services were paid through a monopolized portal system used by all countries participating in the pilgrimage. The system, according to the Ministry, only offers a limited selection of service providers, with ALRAJHI Company being selected due to its long-standing relationship with Sierra Leone and other West African nations. They further assured that supporting documents, including contracts and invoices, would be provided upon the auditors’ return.
However, the audit pointed out that only 12% of the total queried amount, or US$409,031.75, had supporting documents, leaving US$2,982,968.25 unaccounted for. The issue remains unresolved, and the auditors recommended that if the documentary evidence is not provided, the entire amount should be refunded and paid back into the Consolidated Fund.
Missing Signed Contracts for Supplies to Remand Homes and Schools
The audit also uncovered that signed contracts for the supply of food, fuel, and sundries to various facilities, including the Wellington Approved School, the Remand Home in Bo, and the Remand Home in Kingtom, were not submitted for verification. These contracts were valued at a combined total of over NLe 4.6 million. The Ministry’s response indicated that the responsible officers had been advised to sign the contract documents, though the audit found that the signed contracts were still not submitted for verification, leaving the issue unresolved.
Payroll Discrepancies and Staff Verification Issues
Further investigation revealed discrepancies between the Ministry’s payroll and its staff list. 56 names on the payroll were not listed on the official staff list, amounting to a total salary payment of NLe 2,345,393.76. This raises concerns about payroll mismanagement and the possibility of paying non-existing employees. Additionally, 12 staff members listed on the payroll were unavailable for physical verification during the audit, costing the government an additional NLe 196,402.
The Ministry’s response explained that the staff list was not updated because it used the previous year’s manpower plan for reference. They also clarified that some names on the payroll were not Ministry staff. However, 19 staff members were later verified, while 37 remained unverified, resulting in a NLe 2,030,955.60 discrepancy. The Ministry’s response partially resolved the issue by verifying and updating some names on the staff list.
Unverified Fixed Assets: Vehicles and Motorbikes Missing from Audit
The audit also identified that six vehicles and nine motorbikes assigned to the Ministry were unavailable for physical verification. These assets could be at risk of misuse or disappearance. The Ministry explained that some of the vehicles and motorbikes were not present for verification because the officials were on official duties in the provinces, and the Transport Officer was unavailable to assist the audit team. Subsequently, four vehicles and seven motorbikes were verified, but two vehicles and two motorbikes remain unaccounted for.
Crisis at Remand Homes: Overcrowding and Lack of Basic Supplies
The audit also visited two of Sierra Leone’s major remand homes: Kingtom and Wellington. At Kingtom, the audit found severe overcrowding, with over 30 male inmates confined to just two rooms that each housed more than 15 individuals. Basic necessities like bedding, chairs, and tables were reported missing, and the perimeter fence of the Kingtom Remand Home had collapsed, worsening the already dire conditions. Inmates lacked proper healthcare, with no dedicated medical personnel available, exacerbating the health risks. Additionally, the field at the Approved School in Wellington was not under the control of the school management.
Despite multiple recommendations for corrective action, these issues have persisted, undermining the welfare and rehabilitation of the inmates. The Ministry acknowledged the concerns and assured that they are engaging with relevant authorities and donor partners to address these issues. However, the audit team expressed frustration with the slow progress and continued disregard for the welfare of inmates.
Official Response and Audit’s Continuing Concerns
The Ministry of Social Welfare has committed to engaging with key stakeholders, including donor partners, to resolve these critical issues. They also mentioned appointing a new Transport Officer to address the verification of fixed assets. However, the auditors remain concerned about the ongoing failures to address the issues highlighted in previous audits.
The audit’s findings underline the serious operational challenges facing Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare, particularly with regard to financial management and the treatment of inmates in remand homes. While the Ministry has made some efforts to address these issues, the slow pace of change has left many concerns unresolved. The audit calls for immediate and comprehensive action to ensure that the Ministry operates with greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency in serving the country’s most vulnerable populations.
