By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) has come under scrutiny for disregarding an audit query concerning the recruitment of 17 personnel in 2022, which allegedly bypassed due process. The agency’s failure to respond to the audit findings has raised concerns about transparency and adherence to proper recruitment procedures.
A review of the Agency’s recruitment policies revealed that the recruitment of these personnel took place during the year under review. However, auditors highlighted that the agency did not follow appropriate recruitment procedures, leading to a lack of openness, competitiveness, and transparency in the process. The absence of key supporting documents, such as advertisements, application letters, and invitation letters for interviews, further underscored the failure to follow correct procedures.
In response to the audit findings, it was recommended that the Human Resources Manager provide the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) with relevant documentary evidence supporting the recruitment of the 17 personnel.
Additionally, auditors noted challenges within the Agency related to increased financial costs associated with monitoring the safety of petrol stations and their surroundings. Inadequate facilities for petroleum product storage and a scarcity of dealers, with only NP and Conex in Freetown and none in the regions, were also identified.
The auditors recommended that the Executive Chairman engage relevant stakeholders to address these challenges in accordance with international best practices. They further urged the Agency to provide evidence of the engagement to the ASSL.
During the audit verification process, it was revealed that the issues raised by the auditors remained unresolved, as the findings had not been addressed by the PRA. This lack of response continues to raise questions about the agency’s commitment to transparency and adherence to established procedures in its operations. ZIJ/23/2/2024