Maseru, May 29 — The Auditor General, Ms. ‘Mathabo Gail Makenete has expressed concern pertaining to recurring inconsistencies, weaknesses and poor records in financial management, thus affecting the government in an endeavour to deliver services.
She said this at a press conference held in Maseru on Thursday, where she officially presented Reports of the Auditor General on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Government of Lesotho for the years ended March 31, 2023 and that of March 31, 2024 respectively.
Highlighting key thematic areas and her adverse opinions, she indicated the consolidated statements of cash receipts as well as payments are not aligned, showing a difference of M3 billion.
Also, she talked about M80 million which she said was unused by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yet was not returned to the consolidated funds.
Meanwhile, Ms. Makenete further noted inconsistency of loan guarantees by state agencies which are not recorded, saying it is imperative that government keeps records, adding there is also failure to know governments assets as some are not recorded on assets register.
Meanwhile, she highlighted another challenge relating to Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) which she said some transactions have not been recorded yet IFMIS is meant to be the ledger preparing financial statements.
Moreover, she noted concerns with the government’s recurring challenge of failing to pay debts to business people who have rendered services to the government thus impacting their businesses badly. To this, she said M2.81 billion is still owed to business owners.
Another issue related to the government having more temporary staff rather than permanent ones, leaving loopholes when it comes to supervising temporary teams.
In as far as health issues are concerned, she said Lesotho Correctional Service has built a health centre for inmates which is still not being utilised todate.
Therefore, she encouraged Chief Accounting Officers to prioritise robust systems as part of corrective measures as well as improving internal controls amongst others.
ENDS/AM/tl
