PAC faces serious capacity challenge

The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Hassan Kiazolu says lack of capacity remains a major constraint in the wake of the committee’s review of quarterly reports from the General Auditing Commission (GAC).

Speaking in an interview with this paper, Mr. Kiazolu said capacity building of current staff and recruitment of more manpower are core on the agenda of the PAC. However, he said the institution was working with international partners to ensure that extensive training is conducted for its current staff.

He said though the committee was working to ensure that reports submitted by the GAC are reviewed in a timely manner, the process was being impeded by other national responsibilities on the shoulders of committee members.

He at the same time denied reports that the PAC was being influenced by external forces in the review of reports submitted by the GAC, adding the he does not feel being pressurized as an individual, let alone the entire committee.

Mr. Kiazolu said the Public Accounts Committee was in its annual planning process of reports that are expected to be reviewed. He said there are reports that were being held as a result of the political ramifications associated with them, including the Ebola Audit Report, disclosing the reports are categorized on the basis of risks as sitting Ministers who are linked with corruption cases are placed in high bracket areas.

By Bridgett Milton-Edited by Jonathan Browne