We lack accountability in public spending

I REFER to two commentaries from a senior lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea school of business economics and public policy and Secretary for Department of Implementation and Rural Development on one of the dailies this week on the above subject matter.
Both views were spot on when they emphasize on the lack of accountability and reporting of public spending, particularly PSIP, DSIP and LLG SIP funds in some cases.
Also, education tuition free fee (TFF) fund and other one off service delivery funds disseminated from the government’s public budgetary programme to enhance fiscal economic policy of PNG.
Firstly, we have to understand that no one in the right frame of mind in this country expects so called contractors to deliver and provide an honest and reliable service delivery.
The writing is on the wall! In order to make these programmes implemented, the financial resources earmarked are to be monitored by an independent project management team or a public expenditure monitoring team of some sort.
Thus has to be a teamwork of like-minded professionals from various specialised fields to track and combat fraud and corruption in this country.
This independent body, especially for monitoring and evaluating purpose and reporting the findings to National Parliament should be established.
This body can operate in consultation with the Auditor General’s Office, Ombudsman Commission, Fraud and Anti-corruption unit of the Police, Independent Commission Against Corruption.
This body has to be separately and independently funded.
The personnel employed should enter into irrevocable employment contracts up to 10 years just like the judges.
This is the only way out for corruption, misuse and uncontrolled spending to be monitored and reported on its effective application.
Otherwise, we can devise and formulate annual budgets after budgets and there would be little or nothing at all to show for the allocated financial resources and logistics for service delivery.

Philip Ukuni