Health ministry must explain spending

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has been ordered to explain its overspending of N$5.9 million, as well as 486 cases of outstanding subsistence and travel allowances amounting to N$1.7 million.

This is contained in the Auditor-General’s report dated 31 March 2015.

The report observed that there are differences between the approved original budget and the appropriation budget, and that should be explained by the accounting officer.

Other matters that were emphasised in the report were cash deficits and vehicle acquisitions.

According to the AG’s report the ministry’s accounting officer reported N$113 million spent on vehicles purchased during the year, yet the general ledger indicated an amount of N$145 million, which left an unexplained difference of almost N$31.5 million.

The ministry must also explain why it reported that 359 vehicles were acquired but the supporting documents provided for audit purposes showed that only 303 vehicles were bought.

The report also highlighted that the ministry reported 63 accidents costing an estimated N$1.4 million and 27 repairs costing N$529 319 during the financial year, while 50 vehicles valued at N$1 million were disposed of. Meanwhile, the minister’s office recorded an under-expenditure of N$4.1 million as a result of unpaid invoices of the government garage.

According to the report, the ministerial vehicles and that of the deputy minister are hired from the Government Garage, but invoices were not received on time.

The ministry’s Human Resources Management and General Services departments also underspent by N$18.5 million as a result of the number of Cuban doctors in Namibia dropping from 109 to 90.

The Policy, Planning and Human Resources Development department underspent by N$43 million as a result of a high number of resignations.