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The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) is suggesting that the government set out stringent and specific guidelines dealing with the overpayment of public funds.
Any agency or company that diverts from the rules will be severely penalized.
PAC Member Andrew Gallimore brought forward this recommendation following the revelation of several discrepancies at the Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission which was under scrutiny Tuesday.
Coming on the heels of last week's disclosure of the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of dollars of unexplained credit card debt by managers at key government agencies, the PAC Tuesday called for closer scrutiny of the Boards of Directors that advise agencies.
PAC members believe that many of the Boards disregard government policies.
Officials of the Commission on Tuesday morning admitted to the overpayment of in one instance more than $700,000 in gratuities to a former employee who did not finish his two year contract.
This was Board approved.
In another instance a former employee bonded to the government for five years was allowed to resign with pay after only one year to do further studies.
Again it was Board approved.
Mr. Gallimore says this is why they need to held more accountable.
"Too many times we come to this meeting and we say we won't do it again...if the board was not properly guided when they went above and beyond their authority what happens next. We have to make a decision in principle that's consistent whether the person who overpaid you must pay it back or you must pay it back," said Mr. Gallimore.
Executive Director of the Subsidies Commission, Andrea Brown, drew the PAC's patience when she was forced to admit that she was unaware of the Ministry of Finances guidelines and had made no attempt to acquaint herself with them.
On hearing this PAC Member Sharon Hay-Webster blasted her.
"If you are the accountable officer Ms. Brown and you say that to us at this stage how then did you prepare yourself to present matters before the PAC. You must prepare because the buck stops with you and your presentation here shows a clear ineptitude," said Mrs. Hay Webster.
The Commission was let off with a warning from PAC Chairman Dr. Omar Davies to clean up their act or else.
Any agency or company that diverts from the rules will be severely penalized.
PAC Member Andrew Gallimore brought forward this recommendation following the revelation of several discrepancies at the Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission which was under scrutiny Tuesday.
Coming on the heels of last week's disclosure of the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of dollars of unexplained credit card debt by managers at key government agencies, the PAC Tuesday called for closer scrutiny of the Boards of Directors that advise agencies.
PAC members believe that many of the Boards disregard government policies.
Officials of the Commission on Tuesday morning admitted to the overpayment of in one instance more than $700,000 in gratuities to a former employee who did not finish his two year contract.
This was Board approved.
In another instance a former employee bonded to the government for five years was allowed to resign with pay after only one year to do further studies.
Again it was Board approved.
Mr. Gallimore says this is why they need to held more accountable.
"Too many times we come to this meeting and we say we won't do it again...if the board was not properly guided when they went above and beyond their authority what happens next. We have to make a decision in principle that's consistent whether the person who overpaid you must pay it back or you must pay it back," said Mr. Gallimore.
Executive Director of the Subsidies Commission, Andrea Brown, drew the PAC's patience when she was forced to admit that she was unaware of the Ministry of Finances guidelines and had made no attempt to acquaint herself with them.
On hearing this PAC Member Sharon Hay-Webster blasted her.
"If you are the accountable officer Ms. Brown and you say that to us at this stage how then did you prepare yourself to present matters before the PAC. You must prepare because the buck stops with you and your presentation here shows a clear ineptitude," said Mrs. Hay Webster.
The Commission was let off with a warning from PAC Chairman Dr. Omar Davies to clean up their act or else.