Governor looking for more accountability

BETTER monitoring and governance is needed over the country’s budget implementation, says chairman of the Plans and Estimates Committee and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird.
Bird, while supporting the Government’s K22 billion budget for next year, said money needed to be spent wisely.
He urged the Government to adequately fund the committee which can provide checks and balances.
“It is vital that all oversight institutions and mechanisms be brought to bear to ensure that value money and that our people benefit from next year’s budget and all subsequent budgets thereafter,” Bird said.
“It would improve governance.
“This and other important parliamentary oversight bodies need to work more regularly.”
Commenting on budget specifics, Bird highlighted that funding the budget on time would be a challenge next year,
“There is also an urgent need to increase the budget oversight, accountability and performance management in relation to budget implementation,” he said.
“The Department of Treasury, National Planning, Finance and Auditor-General need to visit every agency that receives public funds and report back.
“We also recommend the move to stop grants for all provinces in the near future to ensure improved priority setting and implementation in the future.”