The Public Account Committee (PAC) is one of Parliamentary Standing Committees which came into being as provided for in the 1991 Constitution to investigate the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which may even lead to proposals for legislation. This committee on Monday, met with the Ministries of Trade and Industry, Justice, Labour, Industrial Relations and Social Security and Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs.
These Ministries appeared before the parliamentary committee to answer to queries and issues raised in the 2010 Audit Service Report which covers the financial performances and anomalies of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies outside the framework of the Government Budget and Accounting Act. Some of these issues border on financial management and bank reconciliation statements, among others.
Clerk of PAC, David Saffa placed Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials of MDAs under oath with the Bible and Quran, reminding them of the powers and functions of the committee as contained in the constitution and the standing orders of parliament.
Deputy chair of PAC, who was chairman of the session, Hon. Komba Kodoeyoma during the discussions, admonished accountants and finance officers to practice sound financial management as in bookkeeping, cash management, internal audit and daily reconciliation. He also implored members of the media to extensively cover the activities of parliament as done in other countries. He also said that senior officers in MDAs are expected to answer to queries to which they will be held accountable as ”any unsubstantiated evidence will not be tolerated.”
Deputy leader of the House, Hon. Alhaji Soufian Kargbo advised and encouraged finance officers and accountants to execute their jobs within the confines of the law. The hearing continues.
By Nancy Koroma
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