THE Controller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised concerns over irregular payments totalling 892.92m/- made to contractors and architects in four government school projects without supporting documentation to confirm completion of works.

According to the CAG’s 2023/24 Annual Audit Report on Development Projects, the flagged payments were linked to construction and renovation activities at educational institutions. The projects involved the building of classrooms, toilets, dormitories, kitchens, and administrative blocks in schools and teacher training colleges across the country.

The report noted that the issue largely stemmed from a shortage of qualified technical personnel within the construction departments. As a result, payments were approved without proper site verification or accurate measurement of the completed work.

“This situation has created significant risks,” the report warned. “Without proper verification, there is a high likelihood of overpayments, incomplete or substandard work, and potential misuse of public funds.”

To prevent such issues, the CAG has recommended that project managers carry out mandatory physical inspections and detailed measurements before authorizing any payments. He also stressed the importance of compliance with national procurement laws and procedures.

The report specifically cited regulation 243(2) of the 2013 Public Procurement Regulations, which mandates that all payments in public construction projects be based on verified work quantities. Furthermore, clause 25.3 of the May 2020 PPRA Guidelines for Force Account projects requires that all completed works be jointly measured and confirmed by both the project manager and representatives of the implementing institution.

The CAG emphasized that these legal provisions exist to safeguard public resources and ensure that taxpayers receive value for money in all government-funded infrastructure projects.

The findings have prompted calls for tighter oversight, improved staffing and stricter enforcement of construction and financial controls within public sector.