The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) on Tuesday, 27th August, 2024, had presented a total budget of Le 17.15m which is aimed to efficiently and effectively cover up ASSL fiscal year targets of 2025.
The presentation was made during Government 2025 Budget Hearings at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Finance, George Street, Freetown.
The ASSL presented a Mission Statement, promising to independently ensuring that “value for money from public funds” is achieved at all costs.
This, the Audit Service agency said, would be made possible in collaboration with external stakeholders through a highly competent and motivated workforce of integrity.
Meanwhile, ASSL has completed the building of its office meant to ensuring a conducive working atmosphere and environment.
“There has been also a good rapport by ASSL with Parliament on their day to day activities, while ASSL also aims in attracting and retaining quality staffing in line with the country’s staff retention policy and training of staff locally and in specialized courses overseas.”
The policy objectives of ASSL are based on mid-term national development plan, governance and accountability for results, while increasing coverage in specialized audits works and by continuing to undertake financial performance and compliance audits.
ASSL has further strengthen on increasing access to necessary audit information through the establishment of a well-functioning IS Audit unit which will give access to necessary revenue related information such as revenue generation among MDAs with hope that the system largely becomes a digitalized one at ASSL.
Also non-state actors are being supported to track and follow audit report and engage the public on that direction, ASSL said.
In 2023, ASSL did coverage of 85% of audits on MDAs and this percentage is promised to be improved.
The budget allocation presented in 2023 presentation was Le 12.5 million but, the agency said, as of 23rd August 2023 only Le 8.57m money was received, a situation which calls for a stifle of ASSL work.
Meanwhile, the budget ceiling for the Financial Year 2025 rounds up to Le 17.15m.