By Binta Jaiteh
The report of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has pointed out that auditors have decried the lack of cooperation at the Gambia College as they queried payment vouchers and investment certificates worth D21 million Payments went missing.
Allagie S. Darboe chairperson of the committee during his presentation of the report of parliamentary scrutiny on the 2019 Audited Accounts of Government, Auditor General’s Report on COVID-19 response (PHASE 2), Annual Activity Reports and Audited Financial Statement of Public Agencies & Institutions, City, Municipal and Area Councils made this statement.
According to the report the annual Activity Report and audited Financial Statement of Gambia College for the year ended 31 December 2018 was presented to the National Assembly. Activity Reports and Financial Statements for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 remain and 2020 were not finalized still outstanding.
Regarding the GPPA’s Draft Compliance Reports on Gambia College for 2019 and Key Findings and observations, the interface with the Governing Council and Management of Gambia College the committee observed that the External Auditor submitted a Draft Management Letter to Gambia College in November 2021.
He said the management responses were received ten months later especially from the Board chairman even after involving the Auditor General’s Office, Gambia College’s behaviourremain unacceptable.
However, the Committee recommended after considering the reports presented that Gambia College must respect the agreed timeframe with the external auditors.
Furthermore, Gambia College must provide all missing vouchers to auditors by the end of October 2023. Failure to present vouchers to the auditors shall result in sanctions being imposed on the responsible parties.