-GAC ends forum on importance of accountability
-Price Water House Cooper official says the misuse of Liberia’s natural resources is threat to national security
By Augustine Octavius
New officials in the CDC government in the various ministries and agencies have been exposed to the dos and don’ts about auditing at the first forum organized by Liberia’s supreme audit agency, the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which is headed by Yusador Gaye.
The GAC’s first forum on this subject, which ended at the weekend, was aimed at curbing corruption exhibiting transparency.
The forum was held under the theme: “Enhancing Government’s Developmental Agenda by Promoting Accountability and Transparency in the Use of Public Resources.“
The workshop was funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program.
Speaking at the program, the Country Senior Partner of the Price Water House Cooper said the misuse of natural resources in Liberia is a tthreat to national security.
Mr. Taweh Vekai added that for the GAC to have supreme power to function , it has to be legally, financially and organizationally independent from the governmebnt it audits.
According to him, the GAC must have legal mandate to audit all government fiunctions and disemminate its reports and recommendations without fear or favor.
Mr. Vakai pointed out that the GAC also needs to have an insight into the fiscal property of the governing party; adding : “the government will have to cooperate with the GAC in accordance to international best practise.”
“If at all the government’s pro poor agenda is to be attained” he went on “government will have to ensure that the GAC is given the legal framework, fully funded and totally independent,” the Price Water House Cooper official said,
“ In the absence of that and any attempt for government to undermine these functions of the GAC is a threat to national secuirty,” the international auditing executive said.
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel Tweah said government appreciates the bureacritic hundles in obtaining money as set by the GAC, the Internal Auditing Agency and other anti graft institutions.
“No President, Speaker , Pro Tempore or Chief Justice can unilateraly decide to single-handed spend government’s money anyway, “ the minister said ; adding: “ In the 80s and 90s, the president can run the country fron his bedroom.”
“Today , there is a fundemental check and we are subjected to multiple inter-check by integrity ainstitutions because no invisible hand can take money any how.”
“ It is the commitment of the president that as he begins the journey to transform the country,” he told the audience, “ the role of supreme auduting institutions are very paramount on the agenda of the government,” Finance Minister Tweah said.
The Liberian Finance Minister called for strong political support from the three branches of the government adding: “ I can tell you that this government will stand by all efforts by these graft institutions in the maintenance of transpanrency in government. “
“We are opposed to the habit where ministers and other heads of agencies and commissions are removing comptrollers and we are working out moladidties where all comptrollers at the various agencies will be under the direct supervision of the Comptroller General.’
Meanwhile, the Legislature has expressed support to the General Auditing Commission in combating corruption in the country.
Speaking on behalf of House Speaker Bhofal Chambers, Margibi County Representative Ben Fofana, welcomed the efforts by the GAC to abreast new comers and old hands in government about the signifcance of the GAC.
For his part, the Chairman of the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission, Counselor Jerome Verdier, assured the GAC of the fullest cooperation of his agency in the fight against corruption.
According to him, the LACC relies on news reports, information and reports from anti graft institutions as a tip for investigating corruption.
He streesed the need for officials of govrenment to declare their assets because “ we at the LACC are expecting the Chief Justice, the Presdent the Speaker and the Pro Tempore to ensure the fullest complaince from the respective branches.”
Also speaking , the Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission, Dorbor Jallah disclosed that the PPCC was consulted on the passage of the over nine million loan sign recently.
The PPCC bosss also registered his opposition to the manner in which government’s cars are sold to officials of government and said that his agency is coming out with plan for scrapping or sealing government vehicles.
In brief remaks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fianacial Intelligence Unit, Alex Cuffy, said his institution is not focusing only corruption but terroristic financing.
Speaking earlier, the Auditor General at the General Auditing Commission, Yusador Gaye, said the forum is intended to bring expecially those who are just entering government to arquire the skills that will prevent their institutions from corruption.
The forum brought togther about 300 heads and comptrollers of over 120 ministries, commissions, agencies and bureaus. The forum was graced by the head of the European Union , the Swiss Ambassador . representatives of the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program.