By Josiah Williams
The Region 5 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) once again found itself under scrutiny as it faced questioning regarding discrepancies highlighted in the 2019 Auditor General’s report during a recent session of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Appearing before the PAC, the Region 5 RDC addressed several instances of discrepancies outlined in the audit report, marking their return to the committee since November 2023.
Among the issues discussed was the allocation of fuel to vehicles not listed on the region’s inventory.
The RDC clarified that errors in writing registration numbers for vehicles led to the discrepancies, and they provided information to rectify the matter.
During the PAC session, concerns were raised regarding 22 instances of purchase vouchers, totaling $22 million, that were not canceled and stamped after use.
The PAC called for a thorough audit into this matter to ensure accountability and transparency.
Additionally, the RDC faced questions about 31 instances flagged by the Auditor General’s office for bills dated before requisition for purchase documents, amounting to $3.8 million in 2019.
Members of the PAC urged for an investigation into whether such practices were common in the region and whether they continue to occur.
Ministers and PAC members emphasized the importance of accountability and urged for a comprehensive investigation into the identified discrepancies to ensure proper financial management and adherence to regulations.
As the PAC continues its scrutiny of the Region 5 RDC, calls for accountability and transparency remain at the forefront of efforts to uphold good governance practices within the region.