More Bills

The Ministry owes me a list of contract expenses by the end of the month from this past year that they want us to pay.  Ideally this list should match what was on the Minister’s approved plan, but this is Afghanistan.  What we thought were just under 200 contracts awarded this year, has become 500.  Clearly folks in the provinces went nuts with Dad’s credit card.  Now comes the reckoning.  General, “you do realize that the expenses on your list come to over twice what we have funds for”, I say confidently, expecting a long drawn out discussion, but he says nothing.  “I suggest you and your team relook this.” And off I went.  Four days later the list magically shrinks to just over what they believe is in our budget.  “This is what we want you to pay Mr. George”.  Hmmmm, I say, where did the other contracts and expenses go?  Staff interjects, “well this is what we are requesting the Coalition pay”.  I see “Old Bills” in the future for the man/woman who fills my chair when I leave in June.  They are too good at this to let such funds be left on the table.