According to KPMG’s study, GRA’s usage of external pricing verification tools within its systems made SML unnecessary, necessitating a reevaluation and cost-effectiveness considerations in service delivery.
However, SML’s downstream petroleum audit services were praised, and there were observable advantages such as higher tax collection and improved monitoring to reduce under-declarations.
The President suggested keeping these services in place but suggested reexamining the contract’s terms for better governance and service delivery standards, as well as switching to a fixed fee model.
The President underlined how crucial it is to keep an eye on SML’s performance under any renegotiated contracts to make sure financial management laws are being followed.
The President’s orders were to be implemented as soon as possible, and the Ministry of Finance and the GRA were to report on how well the recommendations in the KPMG study were being followed.