SINGAPORE: Overpayments to contractors by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Parks Board (NParks) were among the lapses flagged by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) in its report on Wednesday (Jul 17).
New: You can now listen to articles.SINGAPORE: Overpayments to contractors by the Ministry of Education and the National Parks Board were among the lapses flagged by the Auditor-General’s Office in its report on Wednesday .
AGO also conducted a thematic audit on parenthood support measures administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Early Childhood Development Agency . For MOE, test checks by AGO on three school construction contracts managed by consultants found lapses in contract management in all three.
MOE added that it has recovered S$68,000 out of the estimated total net overpayment of S$317,000 to contractors, and targets to complete the recovery of the remaining funds by the end of the year. “Our appointed consultants were unable to recommend MOE to pay the remaining sum as discussions with the contractors on the valuation of work done were still ongoing. We will engage the respective consultants and contractors directly, and pay the remaining balance by end-2024,” said the Education Ministry.For NParks, test checks found lapses in the valuations of and payments for 22 of 60 works orders issued under two-term contracts.
“AGO found possible irregularities in some of the documents that were submitted to NParks by its consultant and contractor for an NParks construction contract for a park connector. Training sessions are also being conducted to enhance staff competency and NParks said it is exploring the use of technology to better detect irregularities and conduct checks.
The total contract value was S$783.83 million over 10 years, including a four-year optional extension period. AGO said MHA has acknowledged its observations and taken immediate steps to improve its inventory management. Data analysis found delays in its issuance of bills for course fees. Bills totalling S$8.98 million were issued only after course commencement dates, with some issued as late as a year after course commencement.
“NYP informed AGO that with the implementation of a training portal in July 2023, enhancements had been made to the processes for billing and collection of course fees,” it said.
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