The Public Accounts Committee has recommended that the Department of Mineral Resources forward a matter in relation to the cutting and removal of mahogany and pine trees from the department's premises, to the police.
The committee said the cutting and removal of the trees from the department's headquarters in Nabua was illegal and is a fraudulent act.
The issue was picked up in the 2006 Auditor General's report and the Accounts Committee said it is not too late for the matter to be reported to the police for investigation and charging the officers involved.
It said the loss to the government due to the illegal act stands at about $29,500.
Meanwhile, the committee said failure to call for competitive tenders on the part of the department resulted in exorbitant payments made to PWD for the construction of a small storage room.
The Accounts Committee said wastage of public funds could have been avoided if the project was tendered out.
Ministry told to report mahogany matter to police
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