The unavailability of crusher run has led to delays in numerous projects, according to the Ministry of Public Works.
This led the ministry to utilise a Special Project Account in a way that was criticised by the Office of the Auditor General in its 2022 report on the public accounts.
Recently tabled in Parliament, the report said that the $2.979b transferred to a Special Project Account remained unspent at the end of the year and that not returning such funds to the Consolidated Fund contravenes the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act.
In its response, the ministry said that at the end of 2022 it was recognised that one of the major challenges to project execution was material availability, particularly crusher run, which resulted in the delay of numerous projects.
“As such, a decision was taken to have the Ministry purchase crusher run to mitigate the risk of future shortage and aid in the effective execution of our projects. As a result, the unspent balance on these projects (was) transferred when the special Project Unit Account was established to facilitate this acquisition”, the ministry said.
