National Assembly: FPAC vows to scrutinise public enterprises

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By LAMIN SANYANG

Gambia’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly has on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 convened its first annual briefing session with Public Enterprises and Agencies at the National Assembly Building in Banjul.

Speaking at the maiden briefing, the chairperson of the committee, Honourable Alhagie S. Darboe, highlighted the policy direction of the committee in relation to its operations and oversight role over public institutions.

He said the committee (FPAC) is established by Section 109 (1) (b) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia and draws its mandate from Orders 81, 97 and 112 of the Revised Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

He explained that it is entrusted with the responsibility of exercising the functions of the National Assembly in considering and advising upon all matters connected with Public Finance and Public Accounts.

“In the execution of its mandate, FPAC has the key functions to Identify, monitor, and collaborate with all ministries, departments and agencies of the Government, responsible for public finance matters,” Darboe stated.

According him, the Committee has a mandate to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by the National Assembly to meet the public expenditure and such other accounts laid before the lawmakers as the Assembly may refer to the committee together with, the Auditor General’s report thereon. It would also scrutinise, review, and consider the audited financial statements, activity reports, and management letters of Public agencies, departments, hospitals, public tertiary institutions, councils and the central government accounts.

“The Committee would monitor the performance and viability of public agencies in relation to public service,” he said.

Darboe further revealed that during the course of the fifth legislature, public institutions were submitting their activity reports and audited financial statements to their portfolio Select or standing committees for scrutiny.

He said this was not yielding the desired results as there was no proper coordination on the reporting and, in some instances, non-compliance with the law.

The FPAC Chairperson also said that they would receive and review Bills/Acts, strategic plans and other measures relating to Government/Public Agencies and proffer advice on improving text and implementing mandates. It also has the mandate to appoint an appropriately qualified auditor or firm of auditors to audit the accounts of the National Audit Office (NAO).

“We will receive and review Loan/Grant agreements relating to Public Finance and give advice before ratification. Table report of minutes of meetings held in every session to the National Assembly,” FPAC Chairperson stressed.

He added: “The Committee will agree to a protocol with the government (Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs), on the administrative arrangements for the scrutiny of the annual draft budget and other related budgetary matters.”

The Brikama North MP stressed that once an officer or institution is summoned to appear before the Committee and gives excuses for not appearing, without a prior authority from the Chairperson, he or she would be in contempt of the Committee and will, in consequence, be subjected to a sanction the nature of which will be determined by the Committee.

He added that the sittings of the Committee shall be solemnised by conduct, characteristic of the sittings of the High Court.

the vocal parliamentarian said his committee is the responsibility of the committee to table the consolidated report of Committees on the scrutiny of the national budget to the Assembly and give periodic and annual report on the state of affairs of public finance management by Government and public agencies to the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the FPAC shall commence its oversight sessions as per the approved schedule, from the June 20, 2022 to October 30, 2022.