Monrovia– The Basic Auditing Fee (GAC) has revealed alarming monetary irregularities and unauthorized funds involving tens of millions of Liberian and US {dollars} in its compliance audit of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
In line with the GAC’s newest audit report, the funds have been made to 2 entities that embrace, TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated, beneath the Liberia Digital Transformation Challenge (LDTP).
TAMMA Company is owned by the present Appearing Chairman of the LTA Board whereas 231 Information Inc. is reportedly owned by Mr. Niahson Okay. Porte, a Liberian primarily based in the US.
In line with the GAC’s report, the funds have been ostensibly made to assist the nation’s digital transformation initiatives. Nonetheless, they lacked primary accountability measures, reminiscent of contracts and challenge documentation, elevate purple flags about how the funds have been dealt with.
The audit establishes funds amounting to L$262,844,500 and US$450,000 approved by the LTA for the challenge. But, the audit discovered gaps, together with the absence of signed contracts, detailed challenge paperwork, and periodic experiences outlining the progress of actions undertaken by each TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated.
The 2 corporations have been handpicked by the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, the GAC was informed. This, based on the GAC, factors to a important breach of the Public Procurement and Concessions (PPC) Act of 2005 (amended in 2010), as there was no proof of a contract between the LTA and the 2 corporations. Regardless of this, the substantial funds have been made. “There was no proof of how TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated have been chosen, as proof of the procurement course of for the number of the 2 entities was by no means made out there,” the GAC report famous.
A better take a look at monetary data revealed that TAMMA Company obtained funds totaling L$178,500,000 and US$440,000 between July and August 2023. These funds have been purportedly meant for onward distribution between TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated.
In the meantime, 231 Information Integrated obtained extra examine funds totaling L$84,000,000 (roughly US$437,500) between November 7 and November 15, 2023—in the course of the transitional interval of presidency, based on the GAC. The report indicated that these transactions occurred regardless of a evident lack of correct monetary oversight and supporting documentation.
The GAC additional revealed that TAMMA Company’s CEO was included as a signatory to the LDTP account, alongside the then-Chairperson of the LTA Board of Commissioners, Madam Edwina Zarkpah.
In response to the findings, the LTA acknowledged the GAC’s observations however cited the urgency of the challenge as mandated by the Workplace of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs. The LTA claimed it needed to bypass customary procedures to fulfill nationwide priorities. “The LTA was explicitly directed by the Workplace of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to expedite the implementation of important digital transformation tasks,” the LTA’s response defined. “This directive emphasised the urgency and significance of the tasks to nationwide pursuits, necessitating speedy motion.”
Additional complicating the matter, 4 of the 5 members of the suspended LTA Board of Commissioners—together with Israel Akinsanya, Zotawon Titus, Cllr. Osborne Diggs, and James Gbarwea—distanced themselves from the challenge.
In a damning response, the commissioners claimed they’d no information of the disbursements made to TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated. “The Board can due to this fact not present justification for facilitating disbursement of monies to each TAMMA Company and 231 Information Integrated. The Board is aware of nothing in regards to the challenge,” the suspended commissioners declared.
