The House of Assembly in collaboration with the UK CPA held a Public Accounts Workshop from Monday, July 5 to Wednesday, July 7th at the House of Assembly, Grand Turk.
The sessions were described as very informative and interactive. But the one that stood out was a real-life scenario on a value for money contract.
This allowed committee members to question witnesses, specifically persons involved in the planning and execution of contracts, and probe for answers that sought to satisfy the outcome of the agreed contract.
Chairman for the committee, Hon. Edward Astwood expressed to the Committee members his appreciation, not only for their attendance but their engagements as well, stating that he was looking for many more such meetings.
The Committee is comprised of the following individuals:
Hon. Edward Astwood – Chair
Hon. Harold Charles – Member (H.E. Governor’s nominee)
Hon. Shaun Malcolm - Member
Hon. Jameka Williams - Member
Mrs. Ruth Forbes – Member (H.E. Governor’s nominee)
Mr. Leonardo Ralph James Patrick – Member (Speaker’s nominee)
Mrs. Lydia Butterfield – Deputy Clerk
Mrs. Sandra Stephen-Malcolm – Auditor General
Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux Forbes PA Chair
The Committee is expected to commence a series of Public Hearings this September on Audited Reports from the Auditor General which was laid in the House of Assembly and referred to the Public Accounts Committee for scrutiny.
Hence the mandate of the PAC is to scrutinize and hold accountable all Government entities, Statutory Bodies, Institutions protecting good governance and any entity or individual that are in receipt of 50 percent or more of their income from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
Auditor General’s remarks:
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) benefitted from bespoke training which included hearing from leading Parliamentarians including the Hon. Akeirra Misick former PAC Chair. The training received by Committee members complimented the diverse knowledge and expertise possessed by members, the combination of these factors provides a powerful platform on which to examine my reports, question witnesses during evidence sessions of the Committee and ultimately achieving impact on public financial management.
As Auditor General, I look forward to working with the newly constituted Public Accounts Committee (PAC), one of the two standing committee of the House of Assembly to whom my reports are referred to for scrutiny for effective accountability to the Legislature.
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