“The Auditors requested evidence of needs assessment carried out at the initial stage of any procurement activity but was not provided,” the report revealed.
It also disclosed that services totalling D8, 995,235 were rendered even before request for approval was sent to GPPA. The Auditors revealed that the award for the procurement of quarantine centres was issued before obtaining approval from the GPPA.
It further stated that payment of D193,207,843.00 was sourced through Request for Quotations. However, it added the Auditors were not provided with evidence to confirm this method of procurement was followed as the list of all the service providers (successful and unsuccessful) with their respective price quotations were not presented for review.
The committee noted that based on the evidence submitted by the Auditors, “there are control weaknesses and the Auditors did not receive sufficient information and documentation from the Ministry of Health to substantiate the procurement and payment to quarantine centres or facilities. The Committee could conclude that the Ministry of Health failed to comply with the public procurement laws and regulations.”
The report recommended that procurement should not be carried out without proper needs assessment as it is an important activity that ensures that the required quarantine centres or facilities are procured and used which to avoid wastage of resources.
It also said that all proposed contracts for procurement shall be submitted to the GPPA for its approval, along with the complete contract file.
“All proposed contract for procurement shall be submitted to the GPPA for its approval, along with the complete contract file.”
“Authorising officers should ensure that quotations are requested and provided by at least three independent bidders and the most responsive bidder is selected before payments are authorised and approved. MoH must provide to FPAC within 7 days, all material evidence relating to the request for quotations,” the report demanded.
