By: Fatou Krubally
The Auditor General has identified missing assets, overpayments and governance weaknesses at the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) during an audit reviewed by the National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC).
The audit report highlighted the disappearance of four laptops for which no police report was presented. The findings were presented on Monday as FPAC continued its examination of the 2024 government accounts.
According to the Auditor General’s report, four laptops recorded in the agency’s asset register could not be produced for physical verification. Although management informed auditors that the computers had been stolen, no police report was provided to support the claim.
The audit recommended that the agency strengthen controls to safeguard public assets and intensify efforts to recover the missing laptops.
The report also identified overpayments relating to travel and subsistence allowances. Auditors cited one instance in which an officer received more than the approved incidental allowance and another in which payment was made for travel days exceeding the approved duration.
The Auditor General recommended that the excess payments be refunded to the agency and that management ensure future claims strictly comply with approved entitlements.
The audit further highlighted governance concerns, noting that the position of Executive Director had remained occupied in an acting capacity beyond the six-month period permitted under the applicable public service regulations.
Auditors stated that the matter had been raised in previous audits but remained unresolved, recommending that the agency’s board engage the appropriate authorities to regularize the appointment.
The report also disclosed that the board chairperson resigned in June 2025 and had not been replaced by the conclusion of the audit. As a result, no board meetings had been convened since the resignation.
The Auditor General urged the board to continue engaging the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to facilitate the appointment of a substantive chairperson.
In another finding, auditors reported that land allocated to the agency by the Department of Lands and Surveys in December 2023 had not been recorded in the agency’s financial statements. The report recommended that management determine the value of the property and recognize it in the accounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
Additional issues identified included delays in responding to official correspondence, outstanding debts owed by former staff members, overcrowded storage facilities for medicines and medical products, and the continued absence of an investigation report previously requested by auditors.
The Auditor General called on the agency’s board and management to implement the audit recommendations and strengthen governance, financial management and asset control systems to improve accountability and safeguard public resources.
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