By Samuel Sukhnandan
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) delved into the 2019 Auditor General Report, uncovering significant financial breaches within Region 10’s accounts.
According to findings from the 2019 Auditor General Report, numerous checks amounting to over 100 million dollars were prepared for work that had not yet been completed.
This observation prompted PAC member Minister Juan Edghill to highlight the breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).
Minister Edghill emphasized that the unexpended balance should have been returned to the Consolidated Fund at the conclusion of the fiscal year, as mandated by the FMAA.
In response to queries raised by the committee, former Regional Executive Officer for Region 10, Orrin Gordon, explained that the checks were prepared in advance due to certain projects not being rollovers.
However, contractors were expected to receive lump sum payments.
Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul expressed dissatisfaction with the regional officials’ failure to conduct thorough checks on completed works before issuing payment certificates to contractors.
The examination of the 2019 Auditor General’s report continues within the Public Accounts Committee, aiming to address and rectify financial irregularities identified within Region 10’s accounts.