FOR MANY YEARS NOW, Auditors General have been reporting discrepancies and unorthodox methods in accounting at some Government agencies and statutory corporations, in instances where Government and private sector businesses enter into contracts.
Also, for many years now calls have been made to have the post of contractor general created, if only to inject a measure of transparency and clarity to the process of contracting.
The latest report from the Auditor General is a clear indication that the creation of this post is long overdue. The report is also a clear indication that there is a lack of proper accounting standards and procedures within sections of the Public Service.
What has been happening within some areas of public accounting is serious cause for concern and has raised many eyebrows as well as questions such as:
1) Who or what is responsible for this sad state of affairs?
2) Will corrective measures be taken to put a halt to what is happening?
3) Who is responsible for taking the necessary measures to correct any improper accounting standards and procedures?
4) Will disciplinary action be part of any corrective measures?
It would be most enlightening to get answers to the above questions.
– MICHAEL RAY