By: Randa Rugangazi
In the recently released auditor general’s report, a whooping Frw9.7 billion is reportedly unaccounted for. The report says the funds were lost in form of wasteful spending.
The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro, presented the state financial audits of the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 to parliament. The audit report presented results of 104 government institutions’ expenditure for fiscal year ended 30 June 2010.
Among many public unaccounted for were funds paid to Rwandatel by the Education Ministry to provide 300 public schools with internet connection and only provided the service to 84 schools by the end of their contractual period.
In the report, the Education Ministry many outstanding debts including Frw 67.8 billion of students’ loans still outstanding. Universities funded by the ministry lack their own auditing departments, which is grave problem for auditing purposes.
The Health Ministry is reported to having a huge debt amount that is still accumulating due to the Mituel de Santé program. The ministry promised to deal with the accumulating debt.
The Ministry of Local Government (MINILOC) is reported to have outstanding debt worth RWF 64 billion. The debt accumulated through the ministry purchase of motor bikes for local leaders in districts that were changed and no longer exist.
The basis for allocation of frw4.5 billion to VUP Umurenge wasn’t well accounted for making it hard for the Auditor General’s Office to establish whether the funds fulfilled their objective.
The Ministry of Agriculture through RADA allocated Frw6 billion for purchasing fertilizers. However, the distribution of the fertilizers was reportedly mishandled, making it hard to establish whether the funds were properly allocated.
The agriculture ministry also has funds for small projects that have yet to be distributed to such projects.
Rwanda Revenue Authority is reported to owing debt to other government institutions worth RWF14 billion. The tax funds collected by the institution are at great risk of theft due to poor physical control.
Mr. Biraro in his presentation, talked about both Kigali City Council and District Office expenses not adding up to the money they were allocating. Districts were cited for failing to follow the proper expense reporting methods required them by law.
He concluded his annual auditing presentation by praising the progress that has been made by many state institutions in maintaining adequate documentation of their expenses.
MP Bwiza Connie, in a remark, suggested that Members of Parliament be educated on the auditing process to enable them provide better assessment on the auditing report.
The report, after being presented to the parliament, was forwarded to the Public Accounts Committee for further assessment.
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