Africa-Press – Gambia. The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly has disclosed that GAMCEL, the state-owned mobile network operator, owes over D11 million in arrears to the Gateway Fund.
This revelation is contained in FPAC’s report on the 2020 financial year, which highlights significant outstanding liabilities by GAMCEL. According to the report, a review of invoices and a summary statement of payments confirmed that GAMCEL’s total arrears to the Gateway Fund amounted to D11,473,267.54.
“Review of invoices and summarized statement of payments revealed that GAMCEL has outstanding arrears owed to the Gateway funds amounting to D11,473,267.54 during the. financial year 2020,” the Committee stated.
In light of this, FPAC has recommended that GAMCEL’s management immediately settle the outstanding amount and provide proof of payment to the Committee within 30 days of the adoption of the report.
The committee further urged the permanent secretaries at the Ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs and Communications and Digital Economy to engage with GAMCEL and establish a strict payment plan to clear the arrears.
In addition to the GAMCEL arrears, FPAC reported financial irregularities in impress disbursements. The report revealed that two vouchers totaling D651,706 lacked the required request or application letters justifying the disbursements.
The committee recommends that the Accountant General ensure all payments are properly authorized in accordance with Section 9(7)(f) of the Financial Regulations.
Moreover, FPAC observed that vouchers amounting to D2,184,706—disbursed as impress to various ministries and departments—were not approved by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
The committee has instructed the Accountant General’s Department to provide copies of the relevant approval letters for all affected ministries and departments to FPAC within 30 days for verification.
These findings form part of the committee’s ongoing oversight efforts to ensure greater financial accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
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