29 April 2009
editorial
PRUDENT management of public resources is very critical so far as governance and economic development are concerned.
That is why persistent reports that officers in Government ministries are abusing or misapplying public resources are not just worrying but vexing.
What is of even greater concern is when those in authority are seemingly not able, for whatever reasons, to take appropriate action.
It is on this premise that we relate to the frustration expressed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over such matters.
Yesterday, PAC chairman, Luena independent member of Parliament, Charles Milupi ordered that erring officers should be brought before the committee so that they could be correctly censured as it seemed the controlling officers were failing to act.
This follows observations in the auditor general's December 31, 2007 report that public officers in the ministry were still not retiring imprest, even when regulations stipulate that such money should be surrendered within 48 hours of returning to station.
It is an obvious fact that the country cannot develop if on the one hand some Government wings are struggling to raise money for operations and projects and on the other hand, these funds are not being used in a prudent and efficient manner.
And especially if the officers involved are known and are allowed to go scot-free.
When the auditor general's office goes out of its way to audit accounts of all statutory boards, public and even private institutions that handle public funds, it does not do so for the fun of it.
Neither is it to simply fill up the white pages in the auditor general's report.
It is done so that hard-earned money from the treasury is expended expeditiously, bearing in mind that the effects of ill-managed resources can spell death to a nation.
That is why those failing to account properly these resources must be dealt with decisively.
It is on this score that we say hats off to the PAC for refusing to be just a talking shop.
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