– ERC annual report also presented
The Auditor General’s Report for fiscal year 2007 was presented to Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran by Auditor General Deodat Sharma on Friday.
The Speaker also received an Annual Report from Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Bishop Juan Edghill on work conducted by the ERC in the year 2008 as well as a special report on consultations carried out by the commission with religious leaders on broadcasting, in November last year.
Sharma told the media that the 2007 report which was expected to be presented to the Speaker in September last year, highlights several improvements including the use of revenues in public offices as well as the implementation of the procurement and audit acts. However, problems associated with over payment of contracts, old bank accounts which have not been closed have been also highlighted, he said.
He said other issues noted include abuse of the contingency fund, an investigation which was conducted by a special task force of the Guyana Revenue Authority as well as the purchase of a low-bed in Region Six and problems associated with the purchase. Sharma said the report also mentioned the non-establishment of the Procurement Commission as well as certain modules within the Ministry of Finance. He said the Audit Office received responses from every public accounts office in compiling the report. He said the auditing of accounts for 2008 has already commenced and the unit is working to present that report to the National Assembly by December this year.
Edghill told the gathering that last year was an exciting and productive year for the ERC. He said the focus of the commission in 2008 was on youths and noted that some 466 youth drawn from the ten administrative regions participated in workshops conducted by the commission. Edghill expressed appreciation to the government and the National Assembly for making available funds so that the commission can carry out its mandate.
In accepting the Auditor General’s report, Ramkarran noted that while it was late on many occasions, it was submitted within reasonable time. He expressed appreciation to the staff of the Audit Office as he noted that the unit is short of qualified staff to carry out its duties. He said the report usually excites attention from the press.
As regards the ERC, the Speaker said that there is no specific parliamentary committee that deals with ERC matters. He expressed appreciation to the chairman and members of the commission for presenting the two reports.
The reports will be given to members of the National Assembly and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for scrutiny, he said. The Minister of Finance will then provide answers to questions Members of the Parliament may have after perusing the report. Ramkarran noted that the PAC, which is chaired by PNCR-1G Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence has been carrying out its work in an effective and diligent manner.
