The National Audit Office has revealed that the Barrow government wrongly spent more than 23 million dalasis on procurement of 11 vehicles.

The disclosure was made on its audited report of the Barrow government’s financial expenditure in 2018. 

“We noted that D23,675,354.00 was spent on procurement of eleven (11) vehicles; initial payment of D14,761,004 was made in 2017 and final payment was made in 2018. 

“However, the delivery of nine (9) vehicles were made to the Office of The President before the contract for this procurement was signed in December 2017,” the report said.

“As such, value for money may be compromised when due procurement processes are not followed (such retrospective approval of contracts and procurement has been a recurring issue in previous audit reports).”

The Audit Office also found procurement malpractices in the awarding of other government contracts. 

It highlighted the rehabilitation of the Independence Stadium in 2018 as one of many contracts that breached procurement rules. 

“The rehabilitation of the Independence Stadium for the celebration of the 2018 Independence Anniversary of the Gambia amounting to D2,998,800.00 was awarded to a supplier who registered with Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) for the supply of goods and NOT the delivery of service.

“This is a serious breach of the GPPA Act and the Regulations and defeats the spirit of sound procurement practices as the said supplier might not have the expertise to carry out such services,” the report said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba