Lack of accountability a worry

SIXTY out of the 104 State-owned entities failing to prepare their financial statements on time for auditing and tabling in parliament is a slap in the face for accountability.
And this is not just over a few months, but many months, more than 48 months, more than four years in arrears.
Mind you, these are government-funded entities that had been set up for the purpose of delivering services to the people.
It is a must for these entities to provide accurate financial statements so their performance can be evaluated accordingly.
Their operations must be a reflection of their accurate financial statements that can be underestimated.
Someone has to cop the blame for not having these documents prepared on time and furnished to the minister before June 30 each year, according to Section 63 of the Public Finance Management Act which has been breached.
Someone along the line has failed to check those tasked to put the nitty-gritty of the financial statements together.
The buck stops with the respective chief executives officers who will be summoned before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to explain why they have failed to submit their financial statements.
It is embarrassing to hear from PAC that the reports are already reflecting glaring weaknesses in the operations of public institutions.
The audit reports show many issues of poor management practices.
This now puts the performance of those who work in those institutions in question.
Internally, officers tasked to work on those statements should be reprimanded.
People should start taking responsibility.
The obligation of an individual or organisation to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner is very important.
It also includes the responsibility for money or other entrusted property. Accountability in the workplace is something every manager wants to have.
Accountability has a clear link to higher work performance, but experts indicate that it also results in improved competency and commitment to work, increased employee morale, and work satisfaction.
The statements/reports are important as they enable the department/government to check whether the public money has been spent in the right areas as provided for under the guidelines.
It is important to tell the Government how the money is spent and a lot of our people need to get into the habit of auditing funds, particularly public funds.
If you take responsibility for your own actions, you show accountability. Public servants need to take ownership and lead in service delivery.
Acquitting means accurately reporting on the funded activities and the expenditure of funding.
Time to crack the whip and make everyone toe the line, otherwise it will all become talk, talk and talk.
The Government needs to take control and deal with those who have failed to do their job. Maybe it’s time for the Government to advise what transpired in past inquiries carried oiut in the operations of Government agencies, hospital boards, and trust accounts.
The Government must continue to feed and encourage lawful practices that will translate into delivery of goods and services to ordinary Papua New Guineans.