The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.

Member of Parliament Tingika Elikana, who heads the PAC, has called on Ministers responsible for government entities, state owned enterprises and Crown agencies to improve on the accountability and use of public funds.

In Parliament this week, Elikana moved a motion for MPs to take note of the report by the Public Accounts Committee for 2021 and 2022 and other reviews. The motion was seconded by Minister of Justice Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa.

Elikana explained that the report is referred to government agencies for them to implement the recommendations.

The Pukapuka-Nassau MP said that he had an important point to raise and urged the heads of ministries to heed his message.

Elikana revealed that the committee identified a disconnect between the business plans presented to Parliament and the subsequent appropriation of funds from the public purse to those ministries and entities.

He said that unfortunately in their report, it was difficult for the committee to see how the funds were used.

Elikana said this was an area of concern as they needed to improve the accountability and use of public funds in the public service, state owned enterprises and crown agencies.

“On behalf of the committee it is our view that it is Parliament to appropriate the funds used by ministries, agencies and crown entities, then it is to Parliament that these agencies, state-owned enterprises, and the crown must account how they use those funds.”

Elikana revealed that several ministries, Crown agencies, and state-owned enterprises resisted providing the committee with requested performance plans and expenditure reports.

He referred the report to various government agencies for implementation of the recommendations the committee had highlighted.

Elikana thanked the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor for their hard work in reviewing the reports leading to the finalisation of the report before Parliament.

“We urge all Members of Parliament to read the report and Ministers responsible for government entities, state owned and crown entities as there are very important matters we need to take into consideration.”

The motion was agreed to by the MPs.