Audit exposes gaping hole in Rwamagana finances

Rwamagana-Auditors from Office of the Auditor General have discovered cases of huge administrative and financial mismanagement in Rwamagana district. The audit was sanctioned by the district interim leadership after the resignation of Mayor Valens Ntezirembo, his two vice mayors and the subsequent suspension of different senior district officials. According to Geoffrey Mushaija, the district Executive Secretary, the audit was sanctioned as part of investigations on the former leaders. The 60-page report by the auditors, which was released on March 1, says in its first paragraph that article 70 of the organic law no 37/2006 was infringed, and hence there was no true and fair view of the financial affairs of the district. The auditors said that there were adjustments of wrong transactions in general ledger, not supported by journal vouchers properly approved by the responsible authority. “We, for example, noted cases where the accountant recorded transactions totaling Rwf 23,702,343 with no supporting documents,” reads part of the report. “We observed cases of fraud by tax collectors…amount on receipt issued to taxpayers were different from the copies of receipt books returned to the district,” it reads. Auditors also noted with concern that funds received by the district from donors amounting to Rwf490,798,000 were not sufficiently backed by the required documents. “There is no purpose of funds and memorandum of understanding between the district and the institutions that were meant to execute the projects that were financed.” The report also says that the district transferred fees to sectors and Nsinda prison amounting to Rwf 344,933,831, plus Rwf 14,730,543 meant for the vulnerable but there is no accountability for these funds. “In such circumstances one cannot ascertain the nature, authenticity and validity of the expenditure,” the auditors said. The report says that of the Rwf 204,016,946 released for the expropriation of various sites by the district, Rwf 36,760,572 is not supported by any document. They also say that cheques totalling to Rwf 63,717,066 were withdrawn by persons not on the list of expropriation. “This is a violation of rules and laws that govern and ensure sound financial management the district. According to Mushaija, a court case was opened against the former administration of the district. “They appeared before court for charges related to what is contained in the report, but were temporarily released,” he said. Ends

National

Audit exposes gaping hole in Rwamagana finances