Gambia’s Auditor General Recommends Probe Into Over D52 Million Contract Price

The Auditor General of the National Audit Office, Cherno Sowe, has recommended an investigation into an inflated contract price amounting to D52,489,520.80, citing overpayments and weak financial controls.

The recommendation was made in the 2023 management letter on the audited accounts of the Government of The Gambia.

According to the audit findings, a review of payment vouchers revealed discrepancies in the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), resulting in an overpayment of GMD 50,000. The report noted that GMD 1,841,500 should have been paid instead of GMD 1,891,500.

Sowe said although the overpayment appears minor, it highlights weaknesses in cost verification processes and warned that repeated discrepancies could lead to significant financial losses. He recommended that management recover any overpaid amounts from the contractor.

he Auditor General also flagged concerns over the construction of a new Banquet Hall at the Office of the President, where the original contract sum of GMD 23,965,835, approved by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA), was later revised to GMD 42,687,288 following contract variations.

Audit records showed that total payments made through the IFMIS amounted to GMD 52,489,520.80, exceeding the revised contract value by GMD 9,802,232.80 – an increase of nearly 78% from the original contract sum.

Sowe warned that the situation poses a risk of financial loss to the government and possible misstatement of financial records.

In response, management said the contractor has been invited to verify installed air conditioners and that any discrepancies will be recovered. On the contract variations, management explained that the project was upgraded to meet new specifications under the current administration.

Bakary Tourey Jr