Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:41:47 +0000
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) grilled Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame for allowing misapplication of funds totalling K459, 041 in her ministry as contained in the 2016 Audit Report.
And appearing before PAC, to respond to audit queries contained in 2016 audit for her ministry, Ms Siame said she regretted that misapplication of funds happened in her ministry.
Ms Siame said she had put measures into place ensure the ministry will have zero query next year.
Responding to a query over K459, 041 meant for payment of utility bills among others that was applied on payment for subsistence and pocket allowances, Ms Siame said the ministry had to undertake critical programmes and activities within the limited resources available.
But committee member Teddy Kasonso reprimanded Ms Siame saying she had no sense of judgement as a controlling officer.
“I think you lack sense of judgement as a controlling officer. How can subsistence allowance be critical? There is lack of following regulations and procedures in your ministry,” Mr Kasonso said.
And another committee member, Mr Kapembwa Simbao chipped in,” PS, are you aware of the Finance Act? We will not allow you to disregard it with impunity. Is it because of lack of book keeping, or lack of personnel, or incompetence?”
Mr Simbao said the committee would not allow the Permanent Secretary to disregard the Finance Act and advised her to take full control of the ministry.
In irregular payment of rural hardship allowance where K49, 652 was paid as rural hardship allowance to 7 ineligible officers, Ms Siame said recoveries shall be instituted accordingly.
She explained that out of the 7 mentioned in the Audit queries, only one was not eligible.
Ms Siame was also castigated by committee member Cornelius Mweetwa for not providing supporting documents such as receipts and invoices on payments made during the period under review totalling K143, 970.
Mr Mweetwa wondered why as a controlling officer, she failed to produce receipts to which she promised to make the receipts available next month.
She said lack of supporting documentation was due to untimely reconciliation, adding that in future, her ministry will ensure supporting documents relating to procurement and accounting were reconciled.
On irregular use of accountable imprest to procure goods and services were K37, 350 was issued to 4 officers to facilitate the procurement of attires for Labour, Youth and Women’s Day whose goods value could not be ascertained, Ms Siame, who was apologetic throughout the session said in future, the procurement and supplies unit shall fully be involved in time to avoid irregular use of imprest.
She further disclosed that the ministry had instituted recoveries in respect of tuition and salary advances in amounts totaling K82,000 paid to 3 officers during the period under review which had not been affected as of August 31, 2017.
Meanwhile, Committee chairperson Howard Kunda threatened to surcharge Ms Siame if she will appear before PAC next year. Mr Kunda told her to be proactive and not reactive.
“Don’t be reactive, be proactive. You must discipline the officers involved in misapplication of funds in your ministry,” he said.
Mr Kunda added that it was sad that it had become a trend for ministries to misapply funds with impunity but warned that all the permanent secretaries involved risked being surcharged.
