09 February, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – In the previous seating held by the Public Account Committee (PAC), the auditors found out that payments to the tune of Le124M were made in the name of a staff at NACOVERC instead of the contractor.
Chairman of the Public Account Committee who also doubles as Deputy Speaker, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas stated that it is understood that when payments are being made, they should be done in the name of the contractor and not through a middle man.
Former Accountant at NACOVERC, Lunyanga N. Kaiwa explained to the committee that payments were made to contactors through their bank accounts and by the nature of transactions, mentioning that there were twelve payments which were to be made when he took over as accountant at NACOVERC.
He explained that when payment came to him he had to discuss it with the coordinator and that the coordinator will give him the go ahead to approve the payment.
That he also spoke to the team lead about that particular payments and he told him to use one of the staff name to make the payment.
Chairman of PAC then asked Mr. Kaiwa why he was sacked, Kaiwa responded that he was on contract at the Ministry of Finance for four years when his contact was terminated.
Hon Thomas said what Mr. Kaiwa did is not good and recommended ACC to look into the issue because it is a criminal act.
That the Le 124M be refunded and that Le 194M payments that were made to a selection of workers is unjustified.
When the Deputy Speaker asked the Deputy Coordinator Sheku Fattah Maddi Bangura about the payments, he (Deputy Coordintor) responded that Mr. Kaiwa should be in better position to answer.
