NSWMA clears backlog of audited financial statements

THE NATIONAL Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) can finally present almost a decade’s worth of audited financial statements, dating back to the 200708 financial year.

Desmond McKenzie, local government minister, made the disclosure in his sectoral presentation to Parliament on Wednesday, lauding the NSWMA as the most improved government agency.

“Mr Speaker, the agency was making the news for all the wrong reasons. Before the change of administration, corporate governance, and, in particular, complying with the reporting mechanism, never existed at all at the National Solid Waste Management Authority,” said McKenzie.

He added that the audited financial statement for 2016-17 was being processed, and the 2017-18 statement would be completed and approved within the next six months.

McKenzie also highlighted the ministry’s move to address what he described as a “long-standing wrong” that had been an employment feature in relation to street sweepers. He said that many workers above the age of 60 had gained employment without job security and then retired or died without receiving an ex-gratia payment.

“Finally, Mr Speaker, over 120-odd such workers have benefited from $45.7 million, and nobody that has worked with the National Solid Waste Management Authority can say that they have not been fully compensated, Mr Speaker.”