Uncertainty clouds future of O.P.C. report

Uncertainty hangs over the Officers of Parliament Committee’s (O.P.C.) Report as the country continues to wait for the government to respond to it.

In a bid to pin down exactly when the government was likely to table their response in the House, Tautua Leader Palusalue Fa’apo II used Parliament’s inaugural Questions time to ask Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

In response, Prime Minsiter Tuilaepa said the delay was due to the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) Conference.

“The response to the O.P.C. report to Parliament in response to the report from Chief Auditor is being prepared by the ministries and organisations of the government,” he said.

“That by the end of this (Parliament) sitting all the reports are in.

“The Minister does not prepare (the reports) the employees of the government does. Those that head the Ministries were involved in the S.I.D.S. preparations.”

The controversial Report has been in play for almost a year now, with the Government well past the 90 days it had to respond to it.

It highlights and supports the findings of the Audit Office that certain ministries and Public Enterprises were engaged in what the Committee called corrupt practices during the financial years ending 2010 and 2011.

Associate Minister for Public Enterprise, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, said while the government may table a reply this December, the real question is whether or not it would accept the Committee’s recommendations. “Hopefully it will be tabled then,” he said.

“Then we’ll see the response, whether it’s accepted our recommendations or not.”

He said that if the Committee’s recommendations are accepted by government, the issues of those involved in collusion and defrauding of public moneys would be resolved in court.

“That is our recommendation unless government thinks otherwise for other reasons,” he said.

“Which will again reflect the government trying to protect those involved in corrupt practices.”

Papali’i said it surprised him how long the government has taken to look into the Committee’s findings, which only confirmed those of the Controller and Chief Auditor, Fumiaono C.G. Afele.

“Regarding fraudulent practices so that was confirmed from our investigation,” he said.

“Hence our report to government to ensure that they respond accordingly to our recommendations.

“(However), that's yet to be seen.

“The way they are dragging the issue I am not sure now whether they are going to accept the recommendations.”

*According to the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Samoa, Private Members business takes precedence over government business on sitting Thursdays – this includes time for private members to ask ministers questions.

“On Thursday Private Members’ business shall have precedence of Government business, excepting Committee of Supply, and Private Members’ Motions shall have precedence of Private Members’ Bills,” the Orders read.

“Provided that Private Members’ questions for written answers, motions for which notices have been given and reading of Private Member’s Bills shall follow questions for oral answers on Thursday sittings only.”