The Tautua Samoa Party is urging the government to push its Corporations to hand in annual reports and financial statements on time as required by the law.
The law in question is the Public Finance Management Act. This requires the government to produce statements and confirmation of adherence to fiscal discipline.
Last week, Member of Parliament for Fa’asaleleaga No. 2, Papali’i Lio Masipau criticised public bodies for delaying the submission of their reports.
An example he pointed to is the Samoa Land Corporation report from 2008 – 2009 that should’ve been tabled in Parliament three years ago.
“This law is very important, for it monitors our country’s financial state,” he said.
“But it’s disappointing to see that there is not much value being put on it and it reflects with all the problems that are showing. This act is not being enforced, it needs to be put into practice.”
Papali’i said the legislation emphasised the need to ensure accounts and records are properly maintained.
<!-- Large SkyAd -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="5623196827"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
It highlights the role of Ministers and corporations to better manage their budget according to the government budget.
But most importantly is the period when the reports and financial statements should be ready.
“In section 104 all government SOEs should have their reports ready within four months to submit to the Chief Auditor,” he said.
“And when the chief auditor has done his work on it and its recommendation it then should be ready to be tabled in parliament… but the common practice we see now is nothing is done on time.”
Afualo Dr. Wood Salele echoed the same concern.
Afualo suggested if the Ministries don’t apply with the law, “they should be taken to court”.
“We need to protect (taxpayers) money,” he said.
MP Levaopolo Talatonu Vaai agreed.
He questioned the authority in charge of monitoring the ministries.
“There used to be reforms where public bodies had internal audits and legal advisers,” he recalled.
“Their work was very important in the sense where they made sure every coin was accounted for and made recommendations in auditor’s report on ways to improve their work.
“I believe that the Attorney General’s office is not doing their work which is they are responsible for making sure these public bodies are abiding by the law.”
Levaopolo pointed to the SLC auditor’s report from 2008 to 2009.
“If these reports were from 2008 to 2009, who knows what’s in the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 reports?
“Their role (AG) is vital here.”
Acting Leader for Tautua, A’eau Peniamina Leavaiseeta, agrees.
He said the reports that were passed in Parliament without debate contained a lot of knowledge wasted a lot of time.
“This goes back to the more than 20 reports that were members of the committee,” he said.
“There were millions and millions that aren’t accounted for in the reports.”
M.P. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Shuster pushed for public bodies to hand in their reports on time.
“We don’t want to take them to court, it will waste more money from our people,” he said.
“All we want and urge them to do is to hand in their reports and financial statements on time so that the country can be informed of where and how their money are being spent.”
Questions were sent to the Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai last week.
However, Aumua responded on Friday that he was away from the country for two weeks.
He will respond to questions some time this week.
<!-- samoa_observer.ws -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5306335075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}