Tourism PS escapes PAC grilling
THE Public Accounts Committee yesterday applauded the Ministry of Tourism and Arts as one of the few ministries with minimal financial irregularities in the Auditor General’s report.
Committee chairperson, Howard Kunda who is MMD Muchinga Member of Parliament said the team was happy that the Ministry of Tourism was one of the few ministries with minimal queries raised in the Auditor General’s report.
Mr Kunda said the Ministry led by the Permanent Secretary Liya Mutale had shown efforts to adequately respond to concerns highlighted in the report.
He said unlike most Permanent Secretaries who have challenges to respond to questions or are sent away Ms Mutale had elated the committee.
“As a Committee we are happy that you are one of the few Ministries with few queries raised in the Auditor General’s report.
“You are have shown effort and zeal to respond and tackle the concerns asked in the report,” he said.
Earlier, Ms Mutale was responding to a query where the ministry delayed in banking revenue in amounts totalling K1, 246,888 for two to 24 days which is contrary to Financial Regulation No.121 (I).
She acknowledged the observation and that the ministry had strengthened monitoring mechanisms to ensure that money was banked on time.
On the non-availability of receipt books for audit, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged the ambiguity and promised to avail the documents in good time.