Commendations for Region 4 REO from Public Accounts Committee
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly has commended Regional Executive Officer, Pauline Lucas and the team from Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Demerara–Mahaica (Region Four) for responses to Auditor General’s 2016 report.
Committee Member, Minister Volda Lawrence expressed satisfaction and commended REO Lucas for her presentation and the way she answered the questions from the Public Accounts Committee. Minister Lawrence also had recommendations for Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emile McGarrel
“I wish, that in future, the PS can bring some of the other REO’s and let them sit in the gallery. That way they will have an idea of how they should prepare when appearing before the public accounts committee with their information and also the manner in which they respond to the questions proffered to them. So congratulations to you and your team,” she said
Meanwhile, REO Lucas said all contracted workers below the age of 45 are now on the fixed pensionable establishment, the Attorney General’s chambers and State Asset recovery Agency (SARA) have been approached for assistance to recover government buildings in the region and the police continue to investigate the issuance of fuel to two unauthorised vehicles on the region’s account
“With effect from September 2017, all of the fuel that was paid for some time in 2014 was consumed by the region. We now pay as need be. We pay on a monthly basis to Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) for the fuel,” Lucas explained.
The auditor General’s report for the fiscal year 2016 had identified that contracted employees in the region represented 6.5% or 145 persons of the region’s employees. It also raised concerns about two vehicles, not accounted for by the regional administration receiving fuel on the region’s account held at GuyOil. Chairman of the PAC, Irfaan Ali yesterday recommended that GuyOil is written to for information on its authority to issue fuel to those vehicles which the region to date has denied authorizing.
The Public Accounts committee is a parliamentary standing committee with responsibility for examining how departments of state expend budgeted funds. Attention is particularly paid to matters identified by the Auditor General’s report.
By: Kidackie Amsterdam.