Ifmis functionality module role-out end 2024/25
The contract management module or functionality of the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (Ifmis) will roll out by the third quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year, Accountant General Henry Mphasa has said.
This functionality deals with procurement as it allows procuring entities such as ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to record, track goods and services delivered and payments made on a contract.
In an interview yesterday, Mphasa said his office has since trained end-users in 20 more MDAs.
He said: “And rollout for these MDAs will be from June 2024.”
“The plan is to cover all MDAs from the third quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year.”
Apart from contract management, the revenue module, designed to facilitate cash sales of all government goods and services, has also not fully rolled out.
However, Mphasa said he is satisfied with Ifmis results as the system is now producing reports for users in MDAs, including annual financial statements although there are some gaps.
In an interview on Thursday, procurement expert at MPK Freight Louis Uko described the contract management module as the key element in safeguarding public funds as it guarantees reduction of risks and fraud and ensures transparency and accountability.
He said: “Contract Management module implementation in Ifmis represents a positive step towards strengthening public procurement practices.
“While there may be reasons for the delay in rollout, it’s important to highlight the potential benefits this module can bring to ensuring transparent and efficient use of public funds.”
Public Accounts Committee of Parliament chairperson Mark Botomani said the committee will do proper assessment of compliance of the systems when the Auditor General’s report of 2023 is presented in Parliament.
On his part, Malawi University of Science and Technology professor of finance, accounting and corporate strategy James Kamwachale-Khomba said Ifmis should be the catalyst for public finance digitalisation, adding that the officers should embrace integrity to safeguard public coffers.
He said: “We still need Ifmis as part of the public finance digitalisation with proper internal controls.
“We need to enhance the software programming, define clearly sound reporting systems with good segregation of duties and trainings on the human capital on the Ifmis.”
SAP-based Ifmis is a German enterprise resource planning software that replaced the Epicor-based Ifmis
