The Auditor-General has rejected GH¢592.7 million (GH¢592,745,656.94) out of GH¢1 billion (GH¢1,098,655,518.52) submitted to the Ministry of Finance by the Ministry of Roads and Highways for payment.
The figure is labelled as outstanding debts as at December 2016.
The Auditor-General’s Report on Liabilities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as of December 31, 2016 paints a scary picture of how state funds are being dissipated.
GH¢43.1m paid illegally
According to the report, the Finance Ministry made payments totalling GH¢43.1 million (GH¢43,180,917.51) to the Ministry of Roads and Highways illegally.
Overpayment of GH¢25.6 million (GH¢25,625,439.89) was made to the Ministry of Roads and Highways in respect of contracts executed by 24 companies while GH¢17.5 million (GH¢17,555,477.62) was paid by Ghana Highways Authority without supporting documents.
GH¢36.7m presented by Department of Feeder Roads
According to the report, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, on behalf of the Department of Feeder Roads, submitted to the Ministry of Finance, outstanding claims for road works totalling GH¢36.7 million (GH¢36,774,623.20) as of December 31, 2016 per a letter dated February 10, 2017.
GH¢14.3m valid
To ascertain the validity of the claim, the Auditor-General reviewed relevant contract certificates and the underlying documents, and certified that a total amount of GH¢22.4 million (GH¢22,429,152.63) was valid claims.
GH¢14.3m rejected
The Auditor-General rejected claims amounting to GH¢14.3 million (GH¢14,345,470.57).
GH¢509.3m presented by Ghana Highways Authority
The report revealed that the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH), on behalf of Ghana Highways Authority, submitted GH¢509.3 million (GH¢509,349,208.64) to the Ministry of Finance as outstanding debt as of December 31, 2016.
The breakdown is as follows: salary and non-related salary allowances – GH¢1.9million (GH¢1,928,170.76); goods and services – GH¢135,458.41; and capital projects – GH¢507.2 million (GH¢507,285,579.47).
GH¢279.8m genuine claims
When the Auditor-General reviewed the underlying records to ascertain the veracity of this claim, it was revealed that out of a total liability of GH¢509.3 million submitted, only GH¢279.8 million (GH¢279,882,663.62) was genuine.
GH¢229.4m rejected
According to the Auditor-General, the ministry could not provide any relevant supporting document to substantiate the validity of the difference of GH¢229.4 million (GH¢229,466,545.03).
GH¢17.5m paid illegally
What is even disturbing is the revelation that the ministry has already paid GH¢17.5 million (GH¢17,555,477.62) of the GH¢229.4 million rejected claim.
GH¢477.4m submitted by Department of Urban Roads
The Ministry of Roads and Highways, on behalf of the Department of Urban Roads, also submitted to the Ministry of Finance, a total amount of GH¢477.4m (GH¢477,477,811.29) as various outstanding claims as of December 31, 2016.
GH¢203.5 million certified
To ascertain the veracity of the claim, the Auditor-General reviewed the underlying records, and noted that out of the claim submitted, GH¢203.5 million (GH¢203,598,045.34) was certified as valid as of December 31, 2016.
GH¢273.8m rejected
A total of GH¢273.8 million (GH¢273,879,765.95) was rejected on the grounds of unsupported claims and already paid transactions.
GH¢75m claim submitted
The report said the Ministry of Roads and Highways submitted GH¢75 million (GH¢75,053,875.39) as government indebtedness to some 24 companies as of December 31, 2016 for various works done.
GH¢100.6m already paid for same claim
When the Auditor-General subjected the claims for verification, it was discovered that government had already paid GH¢100.6 million (GH¢100,679,315.28) in respect of the same 24 companies.
The payments had already been made from the Ministry of Finance Chief Director’s accounts prior to the end of 2016.
GH¢25.6m overpayment
This means government has overpaid the claim by GH¢25.6 million (GH¢25,625,439.89).
Consequently, the Auditor-General rejected the claim of GH¢75,053,875.39 on behalf of the 24 contractors. The Ministry of Finance was, therefore, urged to initiate the process for the recovery of the overpayment.
GH¢6.4m rejected
The report indicates that the Auditor-General could not, however, validate liabilities totalling GH¢6.4 million (GH¢6,430,581.59), which were included in the Ministry of Roads and Highways’ request letter dated February 10, 2017 and referred to as addendum for 2016, because the ministry could not produce this letter and request list at the time of validation.
The liability list presented on commencement of the validation was without a covering letter and could not be relied upon for the validation exercise.
Source: The Finder
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WHERE ARE THE USE1ESS AND BABIES WITH SHARP TEETH EARS? I AM EXPECTING THEM TO COME OUT FOR A PRESS CONFERENCES. LONG LIVE GHANA.
WHERE ARE THE USE1ESS AND BABIES WITH SHARP TEETH EARS? I AM EXPECTING THEM TO COME OUT FOR A PRESS CONFERENCES. LONG LIVE GHANA.
WHERE ARE THE USE1ESS AND BABIES WITH SHARP TEETH EARS? I AM EXPECTING THEM TO COME OUT FOR A PRESS CONFERENCES. LONG LIVE GHANA.
I think Ghana's future is getting brighter. We now have a president who is not corrupt and will not tolerate corruption. We also have an Auditor General who is ready to expose all dubious payment and a special prosecutor who will send these cr.iminals to jail, where they really belong to. Ghana shall work again by God's grace
I think Civil Servants are the main cause of Ghana woes and the pivot around which state funds are looted and stolen. If there are internal checks at the various Ministries, how come these double payments and request for payments for no jobs done happening. Politicians, please watch the civil and public servants, very dangerous and a threat to your stay in government if you do not open your eyes. make sure you double check every thing before you sign. They are very dangerous.
Thank you great son of the soil God will bless you and ur generations..as for yaanom insawam is waiting for them...god dey watch
IN FACT GHANA CAN WORK AGAIN. PLEASE MR. AUDITOR MORE OF SUCH MORE SUCH FINANCE IRREGULARITIES SO THAT WE CAN GET MONEY TO FUND FREE SHS POLICY. AND PLEASE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH COMING SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SO THAT THESE NDC ***barred word*** WILL BE JAILED FOR THEM TO KEEP QUITE. BECAUSE THEY ***barred word*** NOISE THAT THEY CANNOT JAILED.
GLORIA AKUFFO AFTER ALL THIS REVELATIONS WHAT ARE YOU DOING? MAHAMA AND NDC GOD WILL PUNISH YOU.WHAT WERE THE NDC GOVERNMENT THINKING? IF YOU SAY GOVERNMENT OWE CONTRACTORS WE WON'T AUDIT BUT TO GO AHEAD AND PAY.YOU WILL NEVER COME BACK TO POWER AGAIN.
This is the work of the NDC who created these money for no reasons. You remember Ex President Mahama recently made the comment that NPP Gov. should pay the contractors. What was his concern? To impress the contractors? Why he did not pay before his time? Well done Mr. Auditor, please do more and submit you evidence to the special prosecutor to get refund the money back to Ghanaians
You are indeed a Patriot and no wonder you had foreign engagements. However, we dont want you to shield any body connected directly or indirectly to Prez Mahama and NDC, because that was his motive for appointing you. Remember Prez Mahama is not your Employer and thus paying your salaries, but rather the state.