THE EDITOR, Sir:THE PICTURE painted by the McKoy report on the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is not only as awful as the sight of the Riverton City dump, but it is also as stink as the disgusting odour emanating from the landfill in recent times. I am flabbergasted by the damming report which highlights blatant breaches of financial regulations and accountability.
When the issue became a public scandal some months ago I reserved judgment. Now that there is evidence to support the findings of the report on the agency's operations, somebody needs to "shut his damn mouth" and be held accountable and punished for the misuse of public funds.
The report stated that the Alston Stewart-led board and management team had not yielded any personal gains from their mismanagement. This may be true, but the fact is that they were duly put in charge of the operations of the agency but failed to carry out their mandate in accordance with stipulated accounting standards and regulations. The management of the agency continued to violate accounting principles irrespective of audit queries outlining serious procedural shortfalls.
In respect of the NSWMA, who is the accountable officer, is it the Chairman of the board or the entire board and management team? Someone or a group of persons should be held responsible for the inappropriate disbursement of public moneys in this agency.
If this is done, it will definitely send a clear signal to those who preside over the collection, custody and payment of public moneys or other public properties.
On the other hand if this terrible act is allowed to fall by the wayside, it will surely entertain and encourage others to override the rule of law in the accounting profession, government accounting in particular. The Honourable Minister, Portia Simpson Miller 'Sister P' will have to think on this.
I am, etc.,
R.O. HALLl
ricohall@hotmail.com
Accountant
