The Audit Office said today that an audit of expenditure at the Office of the Prime Minister revealed instances of lack of adherence to the Public Procurement Regulations.  Shortcomings were also identified in the areas of inventory, general-use vehicles and compliance with fiscal obligations.

Expenditure on the Restoration of Forts, Fortifications and Historical Places, included substantial variations to the original tender, some of which were approved retrospectively, as well as over-payments.

Some payments to employees of the Malta Council for Science and Technology were either unauthorised, not properly supported by evidence or inaccurate.  

Other shortcomings, particularly but not limited to attendance records and inventory management, were also noted.  

In a report present to parliament, the Audit Office said the main weaknesses identified during the audit of capital expenditure of EcoGozo related to the absence of independent verifications by the Directorate, on the quality of materials supplied for the various projects it undertook, non-compliance with tender requirements, delays in most of the projects, as well as lack of segregation of duties. 

An audit on gaming taxes collected by the Malta Gaming Authority, on behalf of Government, reported that financial statements presented by the gaming operators did not give sufficient detail of the composition of income for the purpose of tax calculations, thus hindering the necessary verification. 

The Office also found that Non-Contributory Social Assistance Benefits paid by the Social Security Department was not being adequately assessed by the department during the application and evaluation processes, coupled with the fact that beneficiaries failed to report changes in circumstances.  

Weak internal controls were encountered at Agenzija Sedqa in various areas relating to personal emoluments, mainly leading to overpayment of overtime and unreliable leave records.  

The lack of appropriate internal controls throughout the payroll process within the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security led to a number of deficiencies, which included remuneration paid to Board Members in excess of the approved amounts, and various inaccuracies relating to salary payment.  

Overtime at Mount Carmel Hospital was being resorted to consistently.  

Substantial amounts of allowances were also paid to employees, some of which were either unauthorised, inadequately supported by evidence, or incorrect.

The major cause of concern noted from an expenditure audit on contractual services at the Gozo General Hospital related to the provision of meals in respect of both patients, as well as staff, where significant weaknesses and discrepancies were noted in the ordering process and respective payments. 

An analysis of Government’s Capital Programme, from both the planning and financing aspects, is augmented with NAO’s insights and proposals aimed at enhancing the current processes.  

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