GNPC \u2013 Summary findings and recommendations<\/p>\n
2.106 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Financial Statements detail that GNPC has been profitable in six of seven years covering 2010 to 2016. In 2015 it\u00a0posted\u00a0a loss due to increased administrative costs for overseas travels and increased bank charges realized in the year. GNPC is technically solvent based on the figures in the Financial Statements and the draft Management\u00a0Accounts\u00a0provided.<\/p>\n
2.107 \u00a0\u00a0 The External auditors issued a qualified opinion for the 2015 Financial Statements, as well as<\/p>\n
a \u201cDisclaimer of Opinion\u201d on the 2016 Financial Statements. The \u201cReport of the Independent Auditors\u201d in the Financial Statements for both years raised issues which could impact the profit for 2017.<\/p>\n
AD<\/p>\n
Table 16: Summary Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2017<\/p>\n
2016<\/p>\n
(GMD\u2019000)<\/p>\n
2016 (USD\u2019000)% of asset<\/p>\n
\/ liability total<\/p>\n
2017 (GMD\u2019000)2017 (USD\u2019000)% of asset<\/p>\n
\/ liability total<\/p>\n
Non-Current AssetsFixed Assets\u00a0379,704\u00a08,67613%429,0118,93617%Equity Investments\u00a0128,210\u00a02,9304%157,2953,2766%Current AssetsCash\u00a0185,186\u00a04,2326%61,9581,2913%Trade and Other Receivables\u00a02,043,17846,68767%1,804,60737,59073%Staff Loans12,5562871%17,8403721%Inventory\u00a0284,148\u00a06,4939%000%LiabilitiesTrade Payables\u00a01,722,152\u00a039,35187%1,515,51131,56894%Other Payables\u00a0185,828\u00a04,2469%88,6921,8476%Corporation Tax\u00a083,867\u00a01,9164%\u2013\u2013\u2013Net Assets \/ Equity\u00a01,041,135\u00a023,790866,50818,049<\/p>\n
Source: EY\u00a0analysis\u00a0of GNPC 2016 Financial Statements and 2017 draft Management\u00a0Accounts. We applied exchange rates of GMD 43.764: USD 1 for 2016 and GMD 48.008: USD 1 for 2017. Therefore, the GMD depreciated by almost 10% between the two dates.<\/p>\n
2.108 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Additionally, our review of the 2017 draft Management\u00a0Accounts\u00a0indicates that the technical solvency of the company is dependent upon the collectability of a large Trade Receivable from The National Water and Electricity Company (\u201cNAWEC\u201d). This is the largest single asset<\/p>\n
on the\u00a0Balance\u00a0Sheet of GNPC. Management estimates the debt at GMD 833m<\/p>\n
(USD 17.35m). Given the financial difficulties at NAWEC, it is highly unlikely that GNPC will be able to recover this debt.<\/p>\n
2.109 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The December 2017 draft Management\u00a0Accountsof GNPC currently presents a Retained Earnings\u00a0balanceof GMD 847m (USD 17.6m). If the entirety of the NAWEC receivable is written-off or provided for, this alone would reduce the Retained Earnings\u00a0balance\u00a0to GMD 13.5m (USD 281k).<\/p>\n
2.110 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We note that the draft Management\u00a0Accounts\u00a0of GNPC may require several additional writeoffs which could quickly cause the Retained Earnings\u00a0balance\u00a0to become negative. For example, if GNPC writes-off all the GNPC station receivables from the Trade Receivables sub-ledger, this alone would constitute a write-off of GMD 131.9m (USD 2.7m).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
2.111 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Senior Management and the Finance team at GNPC were very receptive and helpful throughout the course of the fieldwork. However, the Finance team faced difficulties in providing documentation and functional reports due to both incomplete physical records, as well as an\u00a0accounting system\u00a0(Navision) which is not fully equipped to handle the reporting requirements for the entity.<\/p>\n
2.112 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We note that GNPC currently has difficulty in providing\u00a0complete\u00a0and verifiable documentation from both a technical and physical perspective. GNPC\u2019s Navision\u00a0accounting system, which maintains GNPC\u2019s financial reporting\u00a0information, suffered a failed migration in 2017 which caused several financial reporting issues. The Finance team at GNPC has also noted that the system is unable to generate several key reports expected in any\u00a0accounting system.<\/p>\n
2.113 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GNPC was unable to provide supporting documentation for several samples that we selected. Generally speaking, the unavailable documentation related to activities which took place in the period under the previous regime. We note that the inability to produce supporting documentation will cause difficulties for GNPC as it will be unable to substantiate balances for the 2017 Statutory Audit.<\/p>\n
2.114 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Based on our findings during the Forensic Audit, it\u00a0appears\u00a0that any Financial Statements that Management provide for the period ended December 31, 2017, could not currently be satisfactorily subject to External Audit. This is consistent with the \u2018no opinion\u2019 audit opinion reported by the external auditors for the 2016 Financial Statements.<\/p>\n
2.115 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Finance team were very open about any issues encountered and acknowledged many of the findings as areas they aim to remedy in the oncoming months. This includes using the new accounting platform (FinEx) to address the Revenue, Inventory, and Cost of Sales recognition issues discussed below. We understand that the migration to the new platform is currently underway.<\/p>\n
Financial impact of the issues identified<\/p>\n
2.116 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The approximate financial impact of the issues highlighted in our work to date are captured in<\/p>\n
the tables below, shown against the net equity position of the draft Management\u00a0Accounts\u00a0as at December 31, 2017. Issues that cannot be or have not yet been quantified are explained more fully in the\u00a0commentary:<\/p>\n
Table 17: Financial impact of issues uncovered during the Forensic Audit<\/p>\n
2017\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2017<\/p>\n
Brief\u00a0description\u00a0of issue\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (GMD\u2019000)\u00a0 (USD\u2019000)<\/p>\n
Net Assets \/ Equity as at December 31, 2017866,50818,049Section 1 \u2013 Adjustments that could be quantified (above USD 20k)1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Impairment of NAWEC receivable(832,977)(17,351)2. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Write-off of station receivables(131,906)(2,748)<\/p>\n
Section 2 \u2013 Adjustments that could not be quantified, however could be broadly estimated:<\/p>\n
Section 3 \u2013 Adjustments that cannot currently be quantified nor estimated, but likely to be above USD 20k:<\/p>\n
3. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reconciliation of Trade Receivables balancesTBDTBD4. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Accounting adjustments for Upstream fundsTBDTBD5. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inventory recognition and valuation for the yearTBDTBD6. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reconciliation of Trade Payables balancesTBDTBD7. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalent balancesTBDTBD8. Adjustment of Fixed Assets\u00a0balancefollowing full asset verificationTBDTBD9. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Depreciation adjustmentTBDTBD10. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuel cost of sales recognition for the yearTBDTBD11. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 HFO accounting lossTBDTBDSuggested revised Net Liabilities \/ Equity following adjustments in Section 1 and Section 2 only(98,375)(2,050)<\/p>\n
2.117 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We note that the nature of the findings above and the incomplete status of the\u00a0accounts\u00a0removes our ability to make multiple recommended adjustments to the\u00a0accounts. Many of the balances have changed significantly in the period between us receiving the 2017 draft Management\u00a0Accounts\u00a0and the issue of subsequent Trial Balances.\u00a0Accordingly, we have highlighted several of the key potential findings which threaten the financial position of the business.<\/p>\n
2.118 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 From the summary of findings, it is evident that the\u00a0accounting policies\u00a0and procedures at GNPC are deficient (as regards the absence or non-application of\u00a0accounting policies, absence of essential accounting procedures and absence of supporting documentation for accounting entries) and consequently little or no reliance can be placed on the 2017 draft Management\u00a0Accounts. Moreover, Senior Management does not have the relevant, accurate, up-to-date financial\u00a0information\u00a0to manage the business effectively.<\/p>\n
2.119\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that consideration is given to GNPC not being subject to an External Audit for the next two years while Senior Management rectify these serious flaws and become able to produce Financial Statements that are of auditable quality. We make this recommendation because External Audit is a time-consuming activity which helps neither Senior Management or the reader of the Financial Statements in the present circumstances.<\/p>\n
Significant findings<\/p>\n
2.120 Our significant findings in relation to our Special Audit of GNPC as at December 31, 2017, which are explained more fully in this section of the report, are as follows:<\/p>\n
Reconstruction of the GNPC\u00a0Balance\u00a0Sheet\u00a0(Financial impact table item 3)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For a period lasting approximately one year (August 2016 to August 2017) there was no effective finance leadership at GNPC. At one point, there was no Finance Director. For the remainder of the period, interviews with the Finance team and Senior Management indicate that the acting Finance Director did not have the appropriate technical and management capabilities or qualifications to run the finance function. This led to a significant backlog of key financial reporting controls and procedures, and a lack of direction which led to a prevalence of incorrect accounting practices.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This breakdown of governance and key financial controls has greatly hindered the accuracy, existence, auditability, timeliness and transparency of the financial records at GNPC.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2017, a new Finance Director was brought to GNPC to address the financial reporting concerns at the entity. The Finance Director hired additional qualified resources to address the fundamental gaps in the financial records. The Finance team has since begun a major financial reconstruction exercise to clear the large backlog of financial reporting controls and reconstruct the key areas of the Balance Sheet in order to restore integrity to the Financial Statements. He has assembled three teams focused on fully reconciling the balances for Cash, Trade Receivables and Trade Payables.\u00a0 Given the severity of the historical problems, this exercise is proving time consuming and complex.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC continue to financially reconstruct the 2017 accounts and clear the backlog of key financial controls. We recommend they continue to focus on Cash, Trade Receivables, Trade Payables, an Inventory as priority areas.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We additionally recommend that GNPC recruit or contract additional skilled resources to aid in this process as the backlog of controls and procedures is significant.<\/p>\n
Recoverability of NAWEC Trade Receivable (GMD 833m, USD 17.35m \/ 34% of Total<\/p>\n
Assets)\u00a0(Financial impact table item 1)<\/p>\n
\u25ba The NAWEC receivable is the largest single asset on the Balance Sheet of GNPC. Management estimates the debt at GMD 833m (USD 17.35m). Given the financial difficulties at NAWEC, it is highly likely that GNPC will not be able to recover this debt. In our review of the centralized plans to resolve NAWEC\u2019s financial obligations, we saw no mention of a formal plan to settle their trade payables liability to GNPC.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trade Receivables also includes the amount of a GMD 585m (USD 12.2m). Management has not been able to provide support for this amount, which is Management\u2019s estimate of the foreign exchange (\u201cFX\u201d) gain on foreign currency receivables (most notably NAWEC). The NAWEC receivable is so significant that should GNPC be unable to recover any payment at all, GNPC could become close to technical insolvency.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0We recommend that GNPC, NAWEC and the Government of The Gambia meet to agree a formalized plan of action in respect to NAWEC\u2019s debt to GNPC.<\/p>\n
Inconsistent accounting treatment applied to Upstream funds (GMD 225m, USD 4.9m for the year ended December 31, 2017)\u00a0(Financial impact table item 4)<\/p>\n
\u25ba Funds collected from upstream activities have been inconsistently accounted for over the period from 2010 to 2017 and no formalized accounting policy or agreement for the accounting treatment exists.\u00a0 We recognize the uncertainty faced by GNPC Senior Management in establishing the correct accounting treatment given the legal and commercial implications for the parties involved in generating the upstream funds.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (\u201cMoPE\u201d) and the Government of The Gambia review the mechanism in which GNPC and MoPE account for upstream funds. We also recommend that any policy or agreed upon accounting treatment is implemented as soon as possible into the financial accounts. This should include a review of how to account for the different aspects of the licensing fees on an accruals basis.<\/p>\n
Petrol stations treated as customers (GMD 131.9m, USD 2.7m \/ 5% of Total Assets)<\/p>\n
(Financial impact table item 2)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuel movements from the Gam Petroleum depot to the nine GNPC stations are incorrectly treated as sales to customers, and the resulting balances with the stations are incorrectly recognized as receivable balances. Multiple conditions for revenue recognition under International Accounting Standard 18 (the relevant revenue accounting standard as at December 31, 2017) are not satisfied. We noted the following:<\/p>\n
\u25b6 GNPC had not transferred to a third-party buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods;<\/p>\n
\u25b6 GNPC retained both continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership and effective control over the goods sold; and<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u25b6 It was not yet probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction would flow to GNPC.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As at December 31, 2017 Trade Receivables from GNPC stations are valued at GMD 131.9m (USD 2.7m). The correct accounting treatment is to treat fuel at the depot and the nine stations at cost (or net realizable value in the unlikely event this falls below cost) until sold to a third party. The overall impact on the Balance Sheet of this improper accounting treatment is that assets and revenue are overstated at the end of the financial period.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that all the petrol station receivables should be written out of Trade Receivables. Inventory should then be recognized at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Going forward transfers between the depot and the stations should be treated as Inventory movements.<\/p>\n
No Inventory balance in draft Management Accounts\u00a0(Financial impact table item 5)<\/p>\n
\u25ba Current practices to account for Inventory do not adequately track or manage the Inventory balance throughout the financial period. Accordingly, Management was unable to calculate an Inventory figure for the draft Management Accounts.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend GNPC revises the accounting procedures for the purchase, receipt and issues of fuel in line with the good industry practices. This includes recognition of the assets in the Inventory account, and a corresponding liability in Trade Payables upon the receipt of the fuel and its related invoice. For the fuel that has been receipted but not yet invoiced, we recommend that GNPC establish a process to account for it in a Goods Received and Not Invoiced (GRNI) General Ledger (GL) account.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A 100% inventory account needs to be performed in accordance with good practice to establish an opening position for inventory and a physical inventory tracking system developed. Thereafter, periodic test counts need to be performed to check the ongoing accuracy of the accounting records.<\/p>\n
Trade Payables balance unsupported (GMD 1.5b, USD 31.6m \/ 94% of Total Liabilities)<\/p>\n
(Financial impact table item 6)<\/p>\n
\u25ba Trade Payables contains a manually calculated estimate separate from the accounting system. We note GMD 709m (USD 14.8m) was manually added to the Trial Balance figure by the Finance team to bring the balance in line with current estimates of the balance. Additionally, the Trade Payables sub-ledger does not accurately reflect supplier balances due to an incorrect accounting treatment for supplier payments and fuel purchases.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (\u201cITFC\u201d) loan facility requires a full reconciliation between the Government of The Gambia, GNPC and ITFC. The final financial liability and its associated beneficiary will not be clear until this is concluded.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0We recommend that GNPC performs a full supplier-by-supplier rebuild of the Trade Payables sub-ledger, including the ITFC liability. This will allow GNPC to identify their actual liability to all suppliers as of December 31, 2017. It will also allow GNPC to better manage their working capital and resolve any potential supplier disputes.<\/p>\n
We also recommend that GNPC immediately ceases the practice of directly debiting any cash payments into the Trade Payables sub-ledger when they are not associated to a specific invoice which has been entered into the ledger. This will prevent the build-up of debit balances in the ledger and assist in maintaining a more accurate view on the Trade Payables balance.<\/p>\n
Ongoing Cash and Bank reconciliation (GMD 61.96m, USD 1.29m \/ 3% of Total Assets)<\/p>\n
(Financial impact table item 7)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 2017 cash position cannot be currently determined as bank reconciliation and consolidation procedures are still ongoing. The value on the face of the Balance Sheet was calculated based on an incomplete selection of cash GL accounts and a manually added adjustment.<\/p>\n
\u25ba The bank accounts confirmed by GNPC and the bank accounts present in the accounting system require review and reconciliation.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC continue the bank reconciliation procedures and investigates all discrepancies between the cashbooks in Navision and the current listing of bank accounts.<\/p>\n
Retained Earnings used as balancing figure (GMD 846.5m, USD 17.6m)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Retained Earnings is currently a balancing figure in the draft Management Accounts. This means the value of the figure has been manually calculated and inserted in order to equate GNPC\u2019s Net Assets to the Total Equity (with no basis) on the Balance Sheet.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC continues the current financial reconstruction efforts in order to reach an accurate Retained Earnings figure which would be representative of the 2017 financial period.<\/p>\n
Diversion of funds<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Office of the President has historically accessed the upstream funds collected by GNPC in the USD bank accounts. This resulted in the GMD 251.7m (USD 5.7m) write-off of Government debt and could account for further cash diversions.<\/p>\n
\u25ba GNPC has been the target of several Executive Directives for loans and political donations which have not brought any recognizable benefit to the business. These loans and donations are valued at, as a minimum, GMD 38.3m (USD 1.4m).<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0We recommend an independent investigation of the GNPC USD accounts is conducted to better quantify the diversions of GNPC funds during the time of the former regime.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC create a formalized policy and associated governance process in respect to all sponsorships and donations to reduce the risk of diverted funds disguised as charitable donations or sponsorships.<\/p>\n
Land purchase<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our review of Board minutes highlighted discussion between the Board and Management regarding a significant land acquisition, the purchase contract for which was signed in December 2017. The Board minutes capture a concern raised by a Board member that the land was purchased at a significant overvalue. Our enquiries to assess the governance around the acquisition included discussion with the current Minister of Finance, who was the GNPC Managing Director at the time of the purchase.<\/p>\n
The Minister of Finance explained to EY that while the purchase price was high at GMD 17m (USD 310k), his team negotiated a discount from the GMD 19m initial valuation, which was commissioned by the seller, and represented excellent value considering the strategic importance of the site.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Central to our audit enquiries was a valuation report that was produced by a Gambian valuation company, Sphinx Associates Gambia Co. Ltd in, October 2017. We have reviewed the report and confirmed that it independently valued the land and buildings at GMD 19m.<\/p>\n
Potential discrepancies in Fixed Assets (GMD 429m, USD 8.9m \/ 17% of Total Assets)<\/p>\n
(Financial impact table item 8)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Fixed Asset balance per the Management Accounts and the Fixed Asset Register potentially contain assets which do not exist or have no residual value. A full asset verification exercise is required to establish an accurate position.<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that GNPC engages a third party to perform a full Fixed Asset verification and valuation to properly revalue their asset base.<\/p>\n
Other findings<\/p>\n
2.121 Other findings in relation to our Special Audit of GNPC as at December 31, 2017, which are explained more fully in this section of the report, are as follows:<\/p>\n
Trade and Other Receivables (GMD 1.8b, USD 37.6m \/ 73% of Total Assets)<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GNPC has several potentially uncollectable Trade Receivable balances. This includes a balance from the Office of the President and GAMTEL, which are estimated at GMD 81.1m (USD 1.7m).<\/p>\n
\u25ba\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We recommend that a robust bad and doubtful debt provisioning policy is designed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GNPC \u2013 Summary findings and recommendations 2.106 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Financial Statements detail that GNPC has been profitable in six of seven years covering 2010 to 2016. In 2015 it\u00a0posted\u00a0a loss due to increased administrative costs for overseas travels and increased bank charges realized in the year. GNPC is technically solvent based on the figures in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":2297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[1065,1380,1381],"class_list":["post-2296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-economy","tag-gambia-news-everyday","tag-millions-of-dollars-stolen-at-the-gnpc","tag-oil-secret-bank-accounts"],"yoast_head":"\n