22 Vehicles Misallocated at Health Ministry
Health Minister, Dr. Austin Demby
By Mohamed Kamara
An audit of the Ministry of Health has raised concerns over the allocation and transfer of official vehicles, revealing that 22 vehicles received from the Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU) in 2024 were assigned to staff who already had vehicles.
The 2024 Auditor General’s Report audit found no documented evidence showing that the older vehicles were reassigned to other programmes or personnel in need.
Furthermore, seven Toyota Land Cruisers donated by the World Health Organization (WHO) were allocated without clear justification or eligibility criteria, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the Ministry’s vehicle management.
The auditors recommended that the Ministry’s Director of Support Services, in collaboration with the Senior Permanent Secretary, provide documented evidence supporting the allocation of both the IHPAU and WHO vehicles.
They also advised that old vehicles be reassigned to eligible staff, and a status report on the older fleet should be submitted.
In response, the Ministry stated that the IHPAU vehicles were distributed according to project activities and that the WHO vehicles were assigned to officers performing official duties.
However, auditors noted that no verifiable supporting documentation, such as an allocation plan or eligibility criteria, was provided, leaving the issue unresolved.
The audit highlights the need for improved transparency and accountability in managing the Ministry’s fleet to ensure fairness and proper use of resources.
