Health’s books in bad shape

Over-expenditure, unauthorised spending, unaccounted vehicles and double payments of invoices to service providers characterise the ministry of health and social services’ books for 2018/19.Between the 2014/15 and 2018/19 financial years, the ministry cumulatively overspent its budget by nearly N$890 million on its main divisions. This is according to auditor general Junias Kandjeke’s report on the ministry which was tabled in parliament this week.Over-expenditure was recorded as follows: N$5.9 million in2014/15; N$339.7 million in 2015/16; N$281.8 million in 2016/17; N$157.2 million in 2017/18 and N$105.2 million in 2018/19.The ministry’s subdivisions were exceeded with an amount of N$789 million during the same period.Overspending without authorisation from the ministry of finance is in contravention of the State Finance Act.‘DOUBLE PAY’Further, the audit found that 33 companies doing work for the ministry were paid double with a total amount of N$10.8 million.“These companies were paid in duplicate during the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years … it is recommended that the accounting officer [executive director] should ensure that those companies that were paid double, pay back and ensure segregation of duties as control measures are put in place,” Kandjeke says in the report.The ministry’s officials informed the auditors that it had 1 951 vehicles on hand as at 31 March 2019. This is despite the fact that the master list of all vehicles owned by the ministry indicates that it owns 2 002 vehicles. This means 51 vehicles are unaccounted for.“The accounting officer has not been reporting accurate information on vehicles on hand for the past four financial years, in respect of the total number of vehicles owned by the ministry,” Kandjeke says.The ministry’s accounting officer, Ben Nangombe, agreed with Kandjeke’s findings, indicating that the ministry was in the process of verifying the master list and the actual number of vehicles on hand.Nangombe could not shed light on the issues raised by Kandjeke when contacted for comment yesterday as he was attending meetings. - Nampa

Health’s books in bad shape

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Republikein 2025-04-30

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Health’s books in bad shape

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