In the wake of the 2021 Auditor General's report, which uncovered widespread corruption and maladministration across various government institutions, one entity that has come under scrutiny is the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone. This crucial government body, housed under the office of the President, has been embroiled in allegations of financial irregularities amounting to over 3 billion Leones during the 2021 fiscal year.

The audit report, currently undergoing investigation by Parliament, reveals disturbing findings regarding the Petroleum Directorate's financial management. Auditors conducting a thorough examination of the institution's bank reconciliatory statements discovered significant discrepancies, including unaccounted-for transactions totaling billions of Leones. Specifically, the Directorate failed to provide documentary evidence for 45 un-reconciling cheques, amounting to Le 009,577,773, and two un-reconciling deposits and credits totaling Le 2,221,748,202.

Despite repeated requests from auditors for supporting documents to validate these transactions, the management of the Petroleum Directorate was unable to provide satisfactory explanations. Their assurance that detailed schedules were available for review turned out to be unfounded, as auditors found no evidence of such documentation during their verification process.

These financial lapses within the Petroleum Directorate raise serious concerns, especially given the urgent need for government funds to revitalize Sierra Leone's struggling economy. Similar financial irregularities were highlighted in the 2020 Auditor General's report, indicating a pattern of mismanagement and lack of accountability within the institution.

The Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) has voiced alarm over the escalating cash losses and service delivery issues outlined in the Auditor General's report. The upward trend in cash losses, from 153.9 billion to Le 187.3 billion over the past year, underscores the detrimental impact of financial mismanagement on the government's ability to provide essential services to its citizens.

As investigations into the Petroleum Directorate's financial affairs continue, it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to hold accountable those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds. Transparency, accountability, and adherence to proper financial protocols are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring the effective functioning of government institutions in Sierra Leone.