In question is the equivalent of about 30 million euros of the total 285 million euros in donations used by the State.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Mozambique has delivered to the Central Office for Combating Corruption (GCCC) the report that detected irregularities in the funds used for the fight against Covid-19, a source connected to the process told Lusa.
“In the framework of the inter-institutional collaboration, the report was made available to the GCCC,” said the source, without giving further details. About 11 percent of donor money to Mozambique to face Covid-19 in 2020 was used irregularly, recognized the government itself in a report released in May and which lists some steps taken to correct the situation.
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At stake is the equivalent of about 30 million euros of the total of 285 million euros in donations used by the Mozambican state in 2020.
“It was found that during the implementation of projects executed by some of the beneficiary sectors irregularities were recorded associated with contracting processes, deficiencies in the processes of accountability, irregular payment of per diems of officials and ineligible expenses,” reads the report available on the website of the Ministry of Finance.
Almost all of the amount in question relates to “payments that did not observe the legally established contracting procedures”, amounting to about 28 million euros for the rehabilitation and construction of toilets in schools and improvement of water supply systems.
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A part (not quantified) of the cases has been, however, remedied, says the government, thanks to procedures initiated after an audit by the Administrative Court has detected the irregularities. The executive promises to sanction those who have not yet regularized the hiring processes.
The donor fund for Mozambique’s response plan to Covid-19 has received contributions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, European Union (EU), United States of America, and the Global Fund.
