National Audit Office
By Fatou Sillah
The Auditor General has reported that more than GMD 6 million in administrative fines imposed on fishing companies remain uncollected, raising concerns about weak enforcement and the loss of government revenue.
According to the 2024 Auditor General’s Report, the Ministry of Fisheries recorded outstanding fines totaling GMD 6,910,000. Of that amount, auditors found that only GMD 840,000 had been partially settled by Kaderr Fishing Co. and Kuyateh Trading, leaving GMD 6,070,000 without documentation of payment or settlement.
The report identifies arrears owed by several companies: E&A Enterprise Superfly 01 (GMD 1,000,000), E&A Enterprise Superfly 04 (GMD 1,000,000), Kaderr Fishing Co. (GMD 200,000), Majilac Fishing Co. (GMD 1,000,000), and Kuyateh Trading (GMD 6,070,000). Auditors noted that the absence of receipts, bank confirmations, or evidence of follow-up raises the risk of government revenue loss.
“The absence of supporting evidence of settlement or active follow-up indicates weak enforcement and monitoring controls over fine recovery,” the report said.
The Auditor General recommended that the ministry reconcile outstanding fines, establish a formal tracking system, and require proper documentation for all future settlements.
In a written response, the Ministry of Fisheries said most arrears had been cleared, except for those linked to the Superfly 01 and Superfly 04 vessels. Officials said vessel owners were invited to settle their accounts before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Auditors, however, maintained that GMD 2 million in arrears related to the two vessels that remained unsettled as of the finalization of the management letter.
“We acknowledge your management response; however, the two vessels with arrears amounting to GMD2,000,000 remain outstanding up to the time of finalizing this management letter,” the report says.