More than $6 million in spending on embassies abroad unaccounted for in government accounts.
According to a 2021 audit report of the St Vincent government accounts, the financial statements for other advances showed a net balance of $8,204,978.56 at December 31, 2021; this is $1,319,388.02 more than the balance of $6,885,590.54 for the previous year.
The highest balances were reflected primarily under the Permanent Representative – SVG UN, Toronto Consulate, New York Consulate, Embassy of SVG, Cuba, and Embassy of SVG, Taiwan, respectively.
According to the report The advance balance of $426,049.06 for the Embassy of SVG Venezuela grew by 500.7 per cent when compared to the balance at the end of 2020.
“The large balances on these accounts have indicated that an expenditure of $6,294,651.28 incurred by the offices remained unaccounted for in the government’s accounts.”
The high balances were highlighted in previous audit reports issued to the accounting officer, requesting a detailed analysis of the balances and to effect adjustments where necessary.
However, only two of the account balances showed a slight decrease, while the other accounts have reflected increases ranging from 2 to 407 per cent when compared to 2020, the report stated.
For government officers, the report stated that the financial statement has shown a debit balance of $330,828.24 for advances issued to
Government Officers, as of December 31, 2021, $27,168.58 more than the balance of $303,659.66 for 2020.
Of the total outstanding, an amount of $179,998.12 is shown as advances to persons who are retired.
