By Kumba Leigh
Honourable Alagie Mbowe, National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum who doubles as Chairperson of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly on Monday presented a report on the outcomes of the FPAC at sessions convened at the National Assembly Auditorium
He outlined that the report covers the following periods; 11th to 22nd February 2019; 10th to 25th February 2020; 26th April to 31st May 2021; and 10th September to 15th October 2021.
He explained that in compliance with Sections 102 and 109 of the 1997 Constitution, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) had the following engagements; Review and Consideration of Auditor General’s Report on the Accounts of the Government of The Gambia covering the period 2016 to 2018. Review and Consideration of the Activity Reports, Financial Statements, External Auditor’s Management Letters and Compliance Reports of Gambia Public Procurement Authority on the following institutions namely; Central Bank of The Gambia for the periods 2017 to 2018, Financial Intelligence Unit for the periods 2014 to 2017, Gambia Revenue Authority for the periods 2016 and 2017 and National Audit Office for the year ended 31st December 2016, Consultative Audience with the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) and Review of the Public Finance Act, 2014.
Hon.Mbowe admonished that the scrutiny aims to ensure accountability, transparency and probity in the public agencies for efficient service delivery.
He added that during the exercise, the FPAC received and considered testimonies and evidence from witnesses including Board Chairpersons, Management and External Auditors of the said institutions. Aditionally, the officials of The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) provided the compliance status of each of the institutions.
“It is worth noting that appearing before the FPAC and other Committees should be seen as a process by which the National Assembly being the apex oversight institution of the country, holds the management of public agencies and institutions accountable for the actions and decisions they have made in the management of public resources. It is a session where good management and best practices are recognized and rewarded, while bad management is appropriately reprimanded with a report at the plenary,” he emphasized.
Honourable Mbowe noted that the FPAC derives its mandate from Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution as well as Standing Orders Clause 109 (2) to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by the National Assembly to meet public expenditure.
He further emphasized that the objective and scope of scrutiny are intended to ensure transparency and accountability in public agencies in order to enhance efficient service delivery.
During the engagement, Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) received and considered testimonies and evidence from Board Chairpersons, Management and External Auditors of these institutions. Officials of Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) also gave compliance reports on each of the institutions. The institutions summoned for hearings were the National Audit Office (NAO), Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Mr. Mbowe explained: “Reports scrutinized considering the backlog of the accounts of these institutions, dating as far back as 2012, the FPAC reiterated its position to ensure that all backlogs are completed so that going forward, the institutions under its purview are up-to-date and can provide current reports.
