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Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
THE government plans to establish a special unit in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to follow up on adverse reports raised by the Auditor General’s office on ministries and state enterprises to ensure corrective measures are taken. This was revealed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa on Monday during the signing ceremony of a $2.8 million grant from the African Development Bank to the Auditor General’s office and Parliament of Zimbabwe.

He said it was important for government to respond to audit reports. Minister Chinamasa said several complaints had reached his office with stakeholders demanding to know why government was not acting on the Auditor General’s reports. “The Auditor General has been making reports to Parliament. There has been a lot of interest and one of it was what the government was doing on the reports in order to seek redress and prevent issues raised from happening. I’m exercising my mind on it,” said Minister Chinamasa.

“I think we should establish a unit in the Ministry of Finance so that as a ministry we are seen to be serious on making follow-ups on these matters. “It might be too early but these are just my thoughts that we have a unit dedicated to following up on these reports.”

The Auditor General’s office has over the years been producing reports on poor corporate governance in state enterprises. Most issues raised related to abuse of resources, failing to properly account for public funds, flouting tender procedures, among other ills. On the $2,8 million grant, Minister Chinamasa applauded the Auditor General’s office for timeously submitting annual reports for 2014 despite limited resources. He said the money would go a long way in strengthening its work.

Minister Chinamasa said Parliament played a critical oversight role on the Executive. Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda said part of the money would be used to strengthen the Public Accounts committee so that it completes reviewing reports by the Auditor General’s office.

The committee was charged with considering the AG’s reports and if need be invite relevant ministries fingered to explain issues raised in the report.

It would subsequently table its findings to the full plenary of Parliament for consideration and adoption. Chokuda said part of the money would be used by the Women Parliamentary caucus.He said portfolio committees would be capacitated so that they effectively discharge their oversight role on ministries and parastatals.