ASF report: more than 840 million pesos in irregularities and 12 complaints for Segalmex

David Rogelio Colmenaresowner of Superior Audit of the Federation (ASF), presented the General Executive Report Public Account 2021, where the results of the various audit processes in the President’s government were reflected Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). And, both in the official document and in the official’s speech, it was pointed out that Segalmex has a lot to clarify for the public.

During the ceremony on Monday, January 20, Colmenares Páramo, who participated virtually, pointed out that he had filed a complaint against Mexican food security (Segalmex) for the alleged irregularities it has had since its creation. Additionally, he said other federal agencies have been exposed.

There ASF is an entity of the Chamber of Deputies dedicated to auditing the federal government to find out how the cash is doing from year to year. Once the accounts review process has been completed, it publishes an annual report in which it sets out recommendationsasks for clarification, promotes administrative responsibilities and other actions as appropriate.

Regarding the presentation of complaints, the auditor of the federation pointed out that in recent months he had presented dozens of them; however, he clarified that not all correspond to the government of AMLOsince these are fiscal years that refer to the government of Enrique Pena Nieto (AT).

“In particular, in the last 6 months, from September 2022 to date, 34 complaints involving more than 7 billion pesos have been filed, specifying that the majority of these complaints correspond to revisions of the public accounts from 2016 to this day”

However, the Fourth Transformation (4T) government was not spared from being denounced, as it explained that at least, 12 of the 42 claims correspond to Segalmex, an entity created during this six-year term to protect food producers of the basic food basket in Mexico. In addition, in this year’s report, irregularities were presented for more than 840 million pesos.

“In any case, we have already filed 12 complaints related to the 2019 and 2020 public accounts in Segalmex operations during this period”

Segalmex aims to promote agri-food productivity and its distribution for the benefit of the poorest population in Mexico, through the execution of the “Basic Food Price Guarantee” program, which aims to increase the incomes of small and medium-sized large agricultural producers, by setting fixed prices. Therefore, its proper administration must be in the public interest.

Among the audit results at Segalmex This is because the invoices or the risk management instruments (insurance) were not presented in the name of the producers to 106.8 million pesos incentives for average corn producers. With regard to the financial management of expenditure for the acquisition of goods and the provision of services, the ASF noted more anomalies.

In this position, Segalmex made payments without having the documentation that accredits the rental services of laboratory equipment, weighing and conveyor belts for 58.9 million pesos; nor did it prove the delivery/receipt and installation of the 38 mobile units by 990 million weight; undeserved services of a contract of 2.2 million of pesos.

Nor does it accredit the provision of professional personnel administration services by 621.8 million pesosor full warehousing, safekeeping, screening and packaging services for the Third Party Guaranteed Prize Program 49.4 millionnor storage, custodial and custodial services 3.6 million pesos, and the deliverables that prove that the fertilizer storage services have been provided by 760 thousand pesos.

So much so that during the 2021 financial year, the Federation’s Superior Audit found irregularities for 843.85 million pesos against Segalmexeven to which he is obliged to specify in the sequel 20 days to avoid administrative sanctions and probable legal consequences.