OC urges MPs to follow process

THE Ombudsman Commission is urging MPs to comply with processes when disbursing funds ear-marked for services and projects in provinces and districts.
Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen outlined the Ombudsman Commission’s stand on the use of public funds by MPs during the election period and campaigning.
He was addressing the lack of compliance in the use of public funds by MPs, especially during the election period.
He stressed that the commission would not put a total freeze on accounts as during the previous election period and would still allow payments provided that proper requisition and procurement processes were followed.
“(The) Ombudsman Commission has no intention to stop or prevent goods and services to flow or projects to be completed during the election period, hence, will establish an inter-governmental team comprising the Ombudsman Commission and the departments of Finance and Implementation and Rural Development to clear all genuine payments during the two months’ election period as was the case in the 2017 election,” he said.
“All accounts will have restricted access from the date of issue of writs until the eve of the formation of the new government.”
Pagen said that was in accordance with Section 218 of the Constitution to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people were fulfilled and government services continued even during the election period.