Before proceeding with today’s article, a comment on the work of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would not be inappropriate. At a recent meeting to examine the report of the Auditor General on the public accounts for 2015, the Chairman of the Committee requested the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 1 to leave the meeting because of the inconsistent answers he gave in relation to some $30 million in overpayment to eight contractors undertaking works in the Region. The REO had informed the Committee that none of the contractors were currently involved in doing work for the Region. However, when pressed further on the matter, he admitted that two contractors were still dong work.
The above incident raises the issue of the need for adequate preparation by heads of budget agencies and other senior officials when appearing before the PAC to offer clarifications and explanations in relation to issues raised in the Auditor General’s report. It is refreshing that the PAC is taking firm action to protect public resources, an observation not seen since the days of the late Winston Murray when he was Chairman of the PAC.