MSET – $44.4 Million paid out without formal lease agreements

Auditor General's Findings

According to the Auditor General Report for FY 2018/19 [Section 3.2.160], contrary to Section 53 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act Regulation 2011, the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology (MSET) did not have formal lease agreements for rental of office space at four locations for the operation of the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) Division.

The report indicated that the Ministry made monthly payments over the period 2013/2014 – October 2019, totalling $44.4 million. In the absence of formal contracts, the rights and obligations of the parties might be misunderstood.