The National Solid Waste Management Authority, NSWMA, has sought to clarify some of the findings in the Auditor General’s report, which was tabled in Parliament, yesterday (July 26).

According to the report, there were issues with allocation of funding, no sanitary landfills, and gaps in waste management resources, among other things.

The Auditor General said over the last five years, the NSWMA paid 5.5 billion dollars to contractors, under its special projects, and for seasonal workers.

The AG found that the NSWMA did not implement adequate control measures to ensure that the works were in fact, executed and at the agreed standard.

In a statement today (July 27), the NSWMA confirmed the 5.5 billion dollars expenditure, adding that its internal auditors had identified the discrepancies and that the relevant controls were put in place, to ensure proper management and accountability.

Noting that it has a robust process in place, where works are identified, procured, and verified, the n–s–w–m–a stressed that the 5.5 billion dollar expenditure, is not under investigation.

Rather its another figure – 30.4 million dollars.

During a press conference today, Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon, said the authority welcomes the Auditor General’s report and recommendations.

He noted that the authority has been monitoring itself and has called in the police on two occasions, over the last five years.

He said in one case, the theft of fuel by an employee was discovered through an internal audit and the authority took the relevant steps to report this to the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, MOCA.

The NSWMA said it continues to focus on stamping out corruption through a very active audit sub-committee of the board.

It has pledged to continue to improve on its services.