A report by the National Audit Office (Nao) has exposed that claims amounting to K1.1 billion which Region 5 Youth Games Lilongwe 2022 Limited submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs lacked sufficient supporting documents.
This comes after Nao instituted an investigation to verify arrears, which Region 5 Youth Games, owed various suppliers for services and goods provided for hosting the games in December last year.
The report indicates that the verification exercise, among other procedures involved inspection of contract agreements, local purchase orders, internal purchase requisitions, certificates, invoices delivery notes, quotations and payment vouchers.
According to a document, which Malawi News had seen, Nao has only approved claims amounting to K6,846, 871, 729.72 out of the K8,088,197, 103.67.
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However, claims amounting to K910,002,086.13 were not certified as works had not been completed on the projects.
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In addition, claims amounting K251,323, 287.82 were rejected as they lacked sufficient supporting documentation delivery of goods and services.
“It was observed that some sports equipment were delivered after the tournament had already ended. Considering that the equipment were delivered late and that consequently were not used for the purposes of Region 5 Youth Games, the Controlling Officer may need to inform you on how the items will be put to proper use so that public resources achieve the equally intended purpose,’’ reads part of the report.
As part of the exercise, Nao officials conducted interviews with officials from Region 5, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Malawi National Council of Sports.
Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Mac Milan Mwale confirmed that the audit took place saying it was in respect to a combination of contractors who carried out sports infrastructure construction, renovations and related works at Civo and Silver stadiums.
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“The government through the Ministry is committed to pay all bona-fide suppliers and service providers as certified by National Audit Office and the plan is to pay in phases.
“There are reasons why few have been rejected among the reasons are that some suppliers and service providers have not completed the works while some lack supporting documents. Once the outstanding issues are resolved National Audit Office would be involved again so that they can be paid,” Mwale said.
According to the report, the audit verification covered transactions up to the period ended May 31, 2023.
In a separate interview, Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Emma Mavumbe also confirmed the audit.
“We will also engage the suppliers to submit the proper documentation which the National Audit Office is looking for. It is our hope that they will be assisted,” Mavumbe said.
The country hosted the Region 5 Youth Games in December last year in Lilongwe.
Nao is also conducting audit verification of the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex and Aquatic Sports Complex to justify the rise in cost of the projects.
Saenda Complex requires an extra K7 billion to complete construction translating to K14 billion as total cost of the project.
