New Democrat (Monrovia)
25 April 2011
As the controversy over an estimated US564, 000 worth of rice for soldiers continues between the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Ministry of Defence, three contradictory ‘delivery notes,’ (documents stipulating that the goods were delivered) have surfaced.
One delivery note (#0055), dated 14 February 2011 indicates that the supplier, Supplying West Africa Trader Incorporated (SWAT), located on Bushrod Island, had delivered a total of 9,400 bags of Butter Rice to its client, the Ministry of Defense.
Another delivery note (#0105), dated 3 February 2011, indicates that the Defense Ministry received 2,350 bags.
A third delivery note (#0104), dated 4 February 2011, shows that another 2,350 bags were received.
Based on these 3 delivery notes, the total number of bags received by the Defence Ministry should be 14, 100, although the contested figure is 9,400 bags.
The GAC has concluded that the Defense Minister, Brownie Samukai, should be prosecuted for allegedly falsifying documents, but the Minister has taken strong exceptions, describing some GAC staff as ‘criminals’ and ‘rascals’ bent on ruining his career.
The Minister alleged that GAC has received money from the European Union for which it must account through an audit.
On the other hand, outgoing Auditor General John Morlu said while the GAC is prepared to account for any money it has received, the onus is on Minister Samukai to account for the rice, and that his defense cannot be alleged corruption in the GAC.
GAC auditors told this paper last week that they first contacted the Ministry of Defense on the delivery of 9,400 bags of rice meant for soldiers.
From the onset, GAC said, Defence Ministry officials said the rice had been delivered. But when the officials were informed that their information would be counter-checked with the soldiers, they changed their story, admitting that the rice had in fact not been delivered, auditors also revealed.
Auditors also said that Defense Ministry officials failed to produce a ‘utilization report’ indicating how the rice was distributed. When the rice supplier was contacted, auditors said, he admitted that the delivery note he gave Defense officials was an idea from the Ministry.
He said the officials told him to prepare the delivery note although he had delivered no rice to them, a consignment whose cost amounts to US564, 000.
When this paper approached the Lebanese supplier, Mr George Nehme, with his prepared delivery note for comments and verification on Saturday, he refused to make comments, saying that he does not conduct business in the press.
In his radio interview, Minister Samukai, one of the longest serving Ministers, said, “You got an individual who was a criminal that was disrobed by the Finance Ministry, now hired by reckless GAC individuals.”
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Army Rice Scandal