ODPEM falls short in documenting items purchased
Published:Thursday | February 5, 2026 | 12:17 AM
Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis has raised concern that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) purchased food items, tarpaulin and water costing $59.6 million for Hurricane Melissa victims but failed to document them in its inventory or stores records.
In a compliance audit tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the auditor general said the disaster response agency lacked an effective system for accurately recording, tracking and periodically reconciling goods and assets acquired.
She indicated that these requirements are essential to ensure accountability, sound management oversight and reliable financial reporting.
According to Monroe Ellis, the issue persists despite recommendations from the Auditor General’s Department in a report published in July 2024, which highlighted the weaknesses and implications associated with deficiencies in inventory management.
In addition, the auditor general said robust inventory procedures are mandated by the Disaster Risk Management Act.
In their response, ODPEM officials reported that the agency’s warehouse inventory operates as a paper-first system, whereby items received and issued are initially documented on “receipt and issue vouchers” before the details are entered into the computerised inventory management system.
However, Monroe Ellis said this practice differs from previous information provided to her department, which indicated that the SAGE 300 software was used for inventory management.
“Nonetheless, we found no evidence that inventory records had been updated accordingly,” she added.
Even though the ODPEM had stated that its inventory system would be updated by January 9, 2026, up to the time of this report, the auditor general indicated that the process remains incomplete and no timeline for full implementation has been provided.
In her recommendation, the auditor general urged the ODPEM to improve inventory management and transparency. This includes maintaining complete asset records, using standardised pre-numbered requisition forms for all relief requests, and finalising and implementing the inventory management standard operating procedures.
Further, she said ODPEM should publish all procurement activities, as required under the Public Procurement Act, to promote accountability, transparency and public access to information.