Afghan National Security Forces have inadequate control measures for the management of fuel and ammunition that increased the probability of theft and diversion, according to a Department of Defense inspector general’s report.
Fuel and ammunition consumption reports were often missing or late and some were inaccurate, ammo depots were at full capacity with small arms ammunition but units continued to request additional ammo, and explosives and ammo were stored in the same bunker in some cases, “violating internationally accepted compatibility and mixing rules and causing potentially hazardous conditions,” the report said.
“The lack of sufficient internal controls led to process supply gaps and vulnerabilities, increased the probability for theft and diversion of fuel and ammunition, and contributed to inaccurate and incomplete consumption reporting,” it said.
The report also said that oversight of a bulk fuel contract by the Ministry of Defense did not ensure that funds from the United States went to the purchase of fuel in support of “legitimate” MoD activities and Afghan National Army (ANA) operations.
As a result, the transition of ANA bulk fuel management to the MoD was delayed and the pilot program was suspended.
“Continued lack of an effective Afghan oversight process could result in gross mismanagement of the U.S.‑funded MoD contract and create increased opportunities for theft and diversion of fuel,” the report said.
The inspector general’s office issued a list of recommendations, including advising and assisting Afghani officials to better track the ordering and receipt of food and ammunition.
The command concurred with the recommendations in the report to provide better oversight and said, for example, that strict enforcement of fuel consumption reporting and identification of operational requirements have been in effect since October 2014.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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