Effective system of Public Accountability still elusive

,t was some two years ago that the government through the 0inistry of )inance developed a %udget Transparency $ction 3lan %T$3 which was intended to aid in the process of public accountability.

%ut even that has not been enough to help the coalition administration develop an effective system where public funds can be properly accounted for and insulated from various forms of abuse. This point was recently made by Chartered $ccountant and former $uditor *eneral $nand *oolsarran. He noted that the 3ublic $ccounts Committee 3$C should impress upon the administration the importance of having all actions contained in the %T$3 undertaNen with alacrity especially as they relate to the accountability timeframe. 8ntil this is achieved coupled with appropriate sanctions for violations *oolsarran said “we would be unable to assure ourselves that a strong and effective system of public accountability is in place to safeguard public funds and other resources of the State.´ $ccording to )inance 0inister :inston -ordan the %udget Transparency $ction 3lan is one that seeNs to strengthen more than areas of national accountability. These include public procurement consultations on the budget and training of budget staff. High up on the action plan is to ensure that there are consultations with Ney staNeholders on proposals to be included in the 1ational %udget. -ordan said these staNeholders would include the political 2pposition the 3rivate Sector Commission 3SC Trades 8nion Congress and relevant civil society organi]ations.

(Kaieteurnews)