MRA free from money Act: Tuke

By MARK HAIHUIE
Operations for Mineral Resources Authority will not be affected by the new Public Money Management Regularisation Act (PMMRA), Mining Minister Johnson Tuke says.
This reform was introduced as a tool for the Government to effectively manage multiple accounts by statutory authorities to consolidate revenue.
“People are very concerned about this PMMRA,” Tuke said.
“It is not about the Government coming down to micro-manage the finance component in an adverse way.
“There are so many accounts that are open beside the operating account.
“These other accounts are not attached to the conditions of the Public Financial Management Act.
“Therefore, the Government is coming that low to manage, as all revenue collected in this country has to managed under one basket.
“This is again the biggest finance reform after 40 years.”
Newly-appointed MRA acting managing-director Nathan Mosusu said that MRA was doing its best to be compliant to the PMMRA and that the transition was positive.
“As an authority, we have been trying to facilitate that process,” he said.
“We know that it is a law that we have to accommodate.
“As a responsible institution, we have to adhere to Government regulations.
“So far, it has been good.
“We have had discussions with Finance and if there are areas that the authority lacks in, we are sure that we will work to implement changes in those areas. I think some of these areas are trying to introduce corporate governance and systems, and putting them in place.
“We will ensure that we will comply with the PMMRA.”
Mosusu said despite constraints, MRA would continue the ongoing priority of reviewing project memorandums-of-agreement during the remainder of this year.