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Eastern Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (EAAPACEastern Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (EAAPAC))

2nd AGM and Conference on the Role of PAC in Enhancing Accountab2nd AGM and Conference on the Role of PAC in Enhancing Accountability in the use of Public Resources ility in the use of Public Resources Windsor Hotel and Golf, Resort Windsor Hotel and Golf, Resort -- 28th June to 2nd July 200728th June to 2nd July 2007

Beyond Effective Chronicling of Graft: The Challenges facing PABeyond Effective Chronicling of Graft: The Challenges facing PACsCs

Presented byPresented by

Njeru KiriraNjeru KiriraGlobal Economic Investment and Financial Consultancy (GEIFIC) LtGlobal Economic Investment and Financial Consultancy (GEIFIC) Ltd.d.

P.O Box 74471, Tel/Fax: (254P.O Box 74471, Tel/Fax: (254--020) 251167, 343250, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya020) 251167, 343250, Nairobi, 00200, KenyaEmail: Email: geific@todaysonline.comgeific@todaysonline.com, , tattuah@wananchi.comtattuah@wananchi.com

Protection House, 1st Floor, Protection House, 1st Floor, HaileHaile SelassieSelassie Avenue, Parliament RoadAvenue, Parliament Road

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IntroductionIntroductionTraditionally, PACs are perceived as, mainly engaged, in detailiTraditionally, PACs are perceived as, mainly engaged, in detailing ng

historical irregularities and omissions in public expenditure historical irregularities and omissions in public expenditure management. Normally operating like pathologists who, management. Normally operating like pathologists who, establish what went wrong; but little or no attempt to assess whestablish what went wrong; but little or no attempt to assess what at good was done or what improvements are needed, give no attentiongood was done or what improvements are needed, give no attentionto expenditure or systems, to expenditure or systems, do not examine the policy basis or the overall system of public do not examine the policy basis or the overall system of public sector sector management, to identify system failures, or capacities to performanagement, to identify system failures, or capacities to perform,m,do not follow up on correction of past omissions, do not follow up on correction of past omissions, do not assess value for money, but focus mainly on compliance. do not assess value for money, but focus mainly on compliance.

However, current reforms in Public Sector require shifting focuHowever, current reforms in Public Sector require shifting focus and s and oversight from input and process audits and accountability to oversight from input and process audits and accountability to performance, effectiveness and impacts, and emphasize on value fperformance, effectiveness and impacts, and emphasize on value for or money in use of public resources. money in use of public resources.

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In modern public administration, it is not enough for the governIn modern public administration, it is not enough for the government ment to prove it has spent the funds allocated to ministries,to prove it has spent the funds allocated to ministries,in compliance with Parliamentary approval i.e. votes and amountsin compliance with Parliamentary approval i.e. votes and amounts, , andandin accordance to law, regulations, and procedures.in accordance to law, regulations, and procedures.

Public sector needs to facilitate faster economic growth, raise Public sector needs to facilitate faster economic growth, raise incomes incomes and reduce inequalities.and reduce inequalities.

It is ParliamentsIt is Parliaments’’ responsibility, to ensure that, besides compliance with responsibility, to ensure that, besides compliance with approval authority and legality,approval authority and legality,public money is spent well to generate value, improve citizenspublic money is spent well to generate value, improve citizens’’ lives,lives,therefore, legislatures, through such committees such as PAC neetherefore, legislatures, through such committees such as PAC need d to change the focus,to change the focus,needs urgent change of mindset, despite many challenges changinneeds urgent change of mindset, despite many challenges changing g well established traditions, well established traditions, the public sector needs to facilitate local enterprises to reducthe public sector needs to facilitate local enterprises to reduce the e the cost of doing business, become more cost effective and hence morcost of doing business, become more cost effective and hence more e efficient to better compete in the market place.efficient to better compete in the market place.

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Role of PACsRole of PACs

In practice, it is not possible for whole Parliament to In practice, it is not possible for whole Parliament to scrutinize all public sector operations, scrutinize all public sector operations, PACs need to expand approach to PACs need to expand approach to accountability,accountability,build capacity, technical and institutional to build capacity, technical and institutional to perform a more dynamic and inclusive function,perform a more dynamic and inclusive function,

be empowered, legally, by standing orders etc, to be empowered, legally, by standing orders etc, to adjust to these new challenges, which include;adjust to these new challenges, which include;

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1.1. Fast changing global Fast changing global environmentenvironment

Unlike before, parliaments now operate in fast Unlike before, parliaments now operate in fast changing global economic and social environment changing global economic and social environment in which;in which;private enterprises compete against external private enterprises compete against external businesses, both in local and external markets, businesses, both in local and external markets, countries compete for foreign direct investments countries compete for foreign direct investments ((FDIsFDIs), raw materials and increased market share,), raw materials and increased market share,Innovations are necessary to remain competitive and Innovations are necessary to remain competitive and relevant to social and market dynamics, e.g. relevant to social and market dynamics, e.g. environmental protection, corporate social environmental protection, corporate social responsibility, in business.responsibility, in business.

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In global economy, there are many things and factors that In global economy, there are many things and factors that nation states, their parliaments, and private businesses do nation states, their parliaments, and private businesses do not and will not control.not and will not control.

Therefore, success will;Therefore, success will;not depend on how well a country complies with its laws, not depend on how well a country complies with its laws, traditions and systems,traditions and systems,it will depend on how well such systems and institutions it will depend on how well such systems and institutions adjust to a fast changing operating environments. adjust to a fast changing operating environments. depend on enhanced capacity to change on a continuous depend on enhanced capacity to change on a continuous basis, improved efficiency and basis, improved efficiency and competivenesscompetiveness..

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Unfortunately, traditionally, legislatures other powerful Unfortunately, traditionally, legislatures other powerful institutions are usually slow to reform;institutions are usually slow to reform;they pride themselves of long established traditions of they pride themselves of long established traditions of doing business in certain ways, which may no longer be doing business in certain ways, which may no longer be relevant to current environment,relevant to current environment,but today, Parliaments and their Committees, especially but today, Parliaments and their Committees, especially PAC, need to adapt businesslike ways of carrying out PAC, need to adapt businesslike ways of carrying out their functions,their functions,PAC, being among the oldest, most powerful and PAC, being among the oldest, most powerful and important Committee, has to take the lead and important Committee, has to take the lead and

improve management of public finance, the whole of public improve management of public finance, the whole of public sector and the economy.sector and the economy.

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(i)(i) Regional Economic UnionsRegional Economic UnionsRegional Economic Markets, CoRegional Economic Markets, Co--operations / unions which have become part of new operations / unions which have become part of new

world reality. Once formed, they affect all aspects of public adworld reality. Once formed, they affect all aspects of public administration, ministration, economy, including Parliaments. They also come with their demaneconomy, including Parliaments. They also come with their demands, e.g. fiscal ds, e.g. fiscal policy and regulatory obligations, such as,policy and regulatory obligations, such as,financial contributions which involve use of public funds outsidfinancial contributions which involve use of public funds outside parliamentary e parliamentary jurisdiction; this requires Parliaments to adapt new mechanism tjurisdiction; this requires Parliaments to adapt new mechanism to ensure funds o ensure funds contributed are properly used, just like all other public money,contributed are properly used, just like all other public money,other fiscal commitments, of common markets, include, including other fiscal commitments, of common markets, include, including expenditure expenditure commitments in form of fiscal harmonization, public borrowing, scommitments in form of fiscal harmonization, public borrowing, say, to ay, to COMESA, EAC , EU etc,COMESA, EAC , EU etc,

harmonization of commitments to align fiscal and monetary policiharmonization of commitments to align fiscal and monetary policies, which impose es, which impose restrictions on national legislatures, on government borrowing, restrictions on national legislatures, on government borrowing, inflation limits, inflation limits, subsidies, etc,subsidies, etc,imposition of common external tariffs, thus, restricts member stimposition of common external tariffs, thus, restricts member states, stipulate what they ates, stipulate what they can or can not do, e.g. giving tax/duty exemptions, use of commocan or can not do, e.g. giving tax/duty exemptions, use of common tariff tax rates,n tariff tax rates,restricts authority of member states, on changes to tariff ratesrestricts authority of member states, on changes to tariff rates,,

this role is usually delegated to regional Parliaments and Finanthis role is usually delegated to regional Parliaments and Finance Ministers,ce Ministers,

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necessitates emphasizes on need for fair trade and equal fiscal necessitates emphasizes on need for fair trade and equal fiscal treatment of economic players, (within the common market); treatment of economic players, (within the common market);

thus parliaments need to worry about what is happening in the whthus parliaments need to worry about what is happening in the whole region, ole region, i.e. their country and also other member states, otherwise locali.e. their country and also other member states, otherwise local enterprises enterprises can be placed at competitive a disadvantage e.g. if one country can be placed at competitive a disadvantage e.g. if one country opens its opens its market but partners do not open theirs,market but partners do not open theirs,if a member state gives subsidies, this can attract inward mobilif a member state gives subsidies, this can attract inward mobility of ity of investments at expense of its partners,investments at expense of its partners,

possible conflicts on policy oversights, e.g. recent controversypossible conflicts on policy oversights, e.g. recent controversy on on Kenyan members of EALA highlights potential risks, Kenya has Kenyan members of EALA highlights potential risks, Kenya has questioned authority of regional court to disqualify her nomineequestioned authority of regional court to disqualify her nominees, s, which highlighted need,which highlighted need,

for greater Parliamentary involvement in regional policy policiefor greater Parliamentary involvement in regional policy policies in a s in a proactive, systemic manner, update national regulations and lawsproactive, systemic manner, update national regulations and laws to common to common market,market,for harmonization of roles and functions of Parliaments, especiafor harmonization of roles and functions of Parliaments, especially lly procedures, to minimize potential risks of conflict between legiprocedures, to minimize potential risks of conflict between legislatures.slatures.

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Of special interest, to Parliament, is the need to ensure,Of special interest, to Parliament, is the need to ensure,equal fiscal treatment of commercial enterprises, operating in tequal fiscal treatment of commercial enterprises, operating in the he region,region,avoid undue influence or interference with investments decisionsavoid undue influence or interference with investments decisions, , within the common market,within the common market,ensure the common market remains a single investment area.ensure the common market remains a single investment area.

These concerns take parliament beyond resource allocation and These concerns take parliament beyond resource allocation and accounting, to policy issues.accounting, to policy issues.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Africa needs Economic unions to;Notwithstanding the challenges, Africa needs Economic unions to;among other things;among other things;increase market size for economies of scale to be more competitiincrease market size for economies of scale to be more competitive ve either in,either in,

attracting foreign direct investments, which need larger marketsattracting foreign direct investments, which need larger markets, or, orbuilding strong domestic economy from which to launch exports,building strong domestic economy from which to launch exports,

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improve bargaining power, when negotiating with other improve bargaining power, when negotiating with other economic blocks and WTO.economic blocks and WTO.

These developments are forcing Parliaments and their These developments are forcing Parliaments and their committees like PAC, to look beyond issues of committees like PAC, to look beyond issues of expenditure, to,expenditure, to,include unioninclude union--wide fiscal administration,wide fiscal administration,push for accountability to whole region,push for accountability to whole region,include expenditure implications and benefits, role and include expenditure implications and benefits, role and impacts of Economic Unions.impacts of Economic Unions.

Therefore, legislatures need to be assured that governance Therefore, legislatures need to be assured that governance applies, not just in one country but in whole region, to applies, not just in one country but in whole region, to minimize contagion effects, cross border effects.minimize contagion effects, cross border effects.

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2.2. Political ChallengesPolitical ChallengesIn multiIn multi--party democracies, the work of Parliament and, in party democracies, the work of Parliament and, in

particular the PAC, has become more complicated, particular the PAC, has become more complicated, necessitating need to appreciate that Budget preparation necessitating need to appreciate that Budget preparation and approval is basically a political process which,and approval is basically a political process which,can and has been misused in past; but ruling party today is can and has been misused in past; but ruling party today is likely to be opposition tomorrow, likely to be opposition tomorrow,

therefore it is essential that the Budget Process goes beyond therefore it is essential that the Budget Process goes beyond party politics, party politics,

needs to ensure shortneeds to ensure short--term political interests do not term political interests do not encourage design of public expenditure to attract votes, encourage design of public expenditure to attract votes, andand

distort longdistort long--term resource allocation policies, and undermine term resource allocation policies, and undermine longlong--term national interests,term national interests,lead to unproductive investments leading to increased poverty,lead to unproductive investments leading to increased poverty,

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requires to instill proper management of the interface between prequires to instill proper management of the interface between politics, longolitics, long--term term national interests, budget allocations and implementation, notinnational interests, budget allocations and implementation, noting thatg that

resources are scarce necessitating prioritization and focus on eresources are scarce necessitating prioritization and focus on efficiency and fficiency and effectiveness, and not to stop at balancing political interests,effectiveness, and not to stop at balancing political interests,there is need for looking at allocation policies, and their sounthere is need for looking at allocation policies, and their soundness,dness,there is need to overcome political divide and go for rational rthere is need to overcome political divide and go for rational resource allocation and esource allocation and management,management,

appreciate failure to enforce accountability, efficiency and effappreciate failure to enforce accountability, efficiency and effectiveness, leads to ectiveness, leads to abuse of public resources, e.g. abuse of public resources, e.g. ““tragedy of Commons,tragedy of Commons,”” where public goods are where public goods are misused or diverted to personal use, misused or diverted to personal use,

and the risk of resources being used to subvert democracy, and the risk of resources being used to subvert democracy, PACs need to remain issues focused, and not partisan politics orPACs need to remain issues focused, and not partisan politics or vested interests,vested interests,

A key factor to note, with regard to political challenges, is thA key factor to note, with regard to political challenges, is that the more fragmented at the more fragmented the Parliamentary Parties, the less effective the PAC, indeed whthe Parliamentary Parties, the less effective the PAC, indeed whole Parliament will ole Parliament will be to enforce nationalbe to enforce national--wide accountability.wide accountability.

When Parliament is weak, it concentrates on itemizing irregulariWhen Parliament is weak, it concentrates on itemizing irregularities not the whole ties not the whole range of public sector management, because this is more secure. range of public sector management, because this is more secure.

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3.3. Challenge of structure of PAC Challenge of structure of PAC membershipmembership

PAC members are selected to represent political parties, a systePAC members are selected to represent political parties, a system which m which encourages,encourages,partisanism particularly in countries characterized by sectionalpartisanism particularly in countries characterized by sectionalpolitics,politics,frequent membership changes, as political alignments shift, thatfrequent membership changes, as political alignments shift, that,,

undermines PAC roles / functions, the critical which cultivates undermines PAC roles / functions, the critical which cultivates public trust and public trust and confidence, and, confidence, and, promote unnecessary conflicts of interest.promote unnecessary conflicts of interest.makes it difficult for PAC to lead by example.makes it difficult for PAC to lead by example.

Members of Parliament need to appreciate that an effective PAC sMembers of Parliament need to appreciate that an effective PAC should hould be knowledge and skills led, and that experience and continuity be knowledge and skills led, and that experience and continuity are are critical factors for success of this important Committee. critical factors for success of this important Committee.

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4.4. Economic ChallengesEconomic ChallengesEfficiency of public sector is essential to ensuring economic opEfficiency of public sector is essential to ensuring economic operators erators

improve competitiveness, create jobs and generate incomes to improve competitiveness, create jobs and generate incomes to reduce poverty. PAC has responsibility, on behalf of Parliament,reduce poverty. PAC has responsibility, on behalf of Parliament, to to ensure public sector promotes efficiency and is adaptive to ensure public sector promotes efficiency and is adaptive to economic needs,economic needs,

(a)(a) shift oversight from input and processes to;shift oversight from input and processes to;outputs and outcomes, thus focus on benefits and impacts of the outputs and outcomes, thus focus on benefits and impacts of the expenditures,expenditures,examine relevance of organizations created, in public sector, whexamine relevance of organizations created, in public sector, what they do, at they do, how and whether necessary,how and whether necessary,maximize returns on use of public resources, e.g. achievement ofmaximize returns on use of public resources, e.g. achievement of MDGs, MDGs, employment creation, income generation, environmental protectionemployment creation, income generation, environmental protection, , whether being achieved or not, etc, whether being achieved or not, etc, examine public expenditure management systems for effectiveness,examine public expenditure management systems for effectiveness,

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(b)(b) given resource constraints, Parliamentary committees given resource constraints, Parliamentary committees should help focus on key areas, priorities that are critical should help focus on key areas, priorities that are critical to overall economic welfare of the people,to overall economic welfare of the people,

(c)(c) move oversight from routine to major issues of financial move oversight from routine to major issues of financial management, for example, (prompt National Audit management, for example, (prompt National Audit Office (NAO) to group reports on major issues instead of Office (NAO) to group reports on major issues instead of itemizing details in every ministry which add little value itemizing details in every ministry which add little value but take a lot of PAC work),but take a lot of PAC work),

(d)(d) include issues of operations, consider whether,include issues of operations, consider whether,PACs can be facilitated to focus on overall stewardship of use PACs can be facilitated to focus on overall stewardship of use of public resources, assets and impacts, on citizens based on of public resources, assets and impacts, on citizens based on policy objectives, policy objectives, PACs to relate expenditure managements to policy intentions, PACs to relate expenditure managements to policy intentions, (e.g. 1993(e.g. 1993--4 the Indian PAC identified EPZ failure to meet 4 the Indian PAC identified EPZ failure to meet original expectations.)original expectations.)

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PACs findings should be used to promote PACs findings should be used to promote continuous improvements, not one off,continuous improvements, not one off,avoid repeat of past omissions / mistakes, by linking avoid repeat of past omissions / mistakes, by linking future allocations to corrective action,future allocations to corrective action,promote learning from best practices by information promote learning from best practices by information exchange between PACs,exchange between PACs,

(e)(e) PACs to ensure consistency between,PACs to ensure consistency between,plans & strategies and Budgets,plans & strategies and Budgets,ensure approved plans and policies are funded.ensure approved plans and policies are funded.

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5.5. Structural challengesStructural challenges

PACs are used to dealing with single Ministries not the PACs are used to dealing with single Ministries not the whole Government. They focus on trees not forests whole Government. They focus on trees not forests and often miss the relationship, i.e. the whole is greater and often miss the relationship, i.e. the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, therefore, than the sum of the parts, therefore, PACs to pay greater attention to overall management PACs to pay greater attention to overall management systems, and focus on systemsystems, and focus on system--wide improvements,wide improvements,emphasize on improving system integrity, more than emphasize on improving system integrity, more than individual institutions,individual institutions,develop accountability mechanisms with coordinated develop accountability mechanisms with coordinated approach and links to other committees. approach and links to other committees.

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Budget ExecutionBudget ExecutionOne of the key challenges for Parliaments is the need to One of the key challenges for Parliaments is the need to

ensure accuracy of budgets; consistency between policy ensure accuracy of budgets; consistency between policy pronouncements and resource allocations, and, approved pronouncements and resource allocations, and, approved and executed budgets, so that,and executed budgets, so that,

a)a) the Budget allocations reflect agreed policies and the Budget allocations reflect agreed policies and programs, helps private sector to plan,programs, helps private sector to plan,

b)b) approved Budget remains the guide to execution, and,approved Budget remains the guide to execution, and,ensure limited deviation between the two, andensure limited deviation between the two, andthat Budget implementation focuses on achievement of agreed that Budget implementation focuses on achievement of agreed policies and objectives and results.policies and objectives and results.

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If approved budget is changed midstream, even with If approved budget is changed midstream, even with parliamentary approval, it means economic actors can parliamentary approval, it means economic actors can not rely on it to;not rely on it to;

--plan their operations with certainty,plan their operations with certainty,--undermines overall economic performance and slows undermines overall economic performance and slows

growth,growth,--fails to link budget to agreed policies/strategies, and fails to link budget to agreed policies/strategies, and

execute the budget as approved,execute the budget as approved,--undermines integrity of Budget Process and legislative undermines integrity of Budget Process and legislative

authority; authority; --runs the risks of making the budget a tool for political runs the risks of making the budget a tool for political

manipulation not a financial plan.manipulation not a financial plan.For these reasons that PACs need to take a more For these reasons that PACs need to take a more

managerial approach and not confine to expenditure managerial approach and not confine to expenditure management and activities.management and activities.

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Benchmarking PAC performanceBenchmarking PAC performanceTo be instruments of change and continuous improvements, PACs To be instruments of change and continuous improvements, PACs

should develop points of reference for their performance, should develop points of reference for their performance, particularly, when supervising performance based public sector particularly, when supervising performance based public sector management. Needs to emphasize on effectiveness, impacts and management. Needs to emphasize on effectiveness, impacts and results. This, Parliaments and their committees need to operateresults. This, Parliaments and their committees need to operate on on similar basis, therefore it is necessary to develop instruments similar basis, therefore it is necessary to develop instruments to,to,assess their own effectiveness and efficiency ,assess their own effectiveness and efficiency ,ensure there are no delays in finalizing reports so that Parliamensure there are no delays in finalizing reports so that Parliaments ents can debate, decide early, recommend and followcan debate, decide early, recommend and follow--up with actions,up with actions,build past findings and recommendations into future budgetary build past findings and recommendations into future budgetary requests, and approvals, to stir improvements,requests, and approvals, to stir improvements,

Where there is irregularity, the PACs need to work with other Where there is irregularity, the PACs need to work with other accountability agencies to ensure the law takes its course so thaccountability agencies to ensure the law takes its course so that can at can spend time more productively.spend time more productively.

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Making the paradigm shiftMaking the paradigm shiftTo change from the current postmortem approach, on basis To change from the current postmortem approach, on basis

of input and process scrutiny, to a more dynamic system of of input and process scrutiny, to a more dynamic system of accountability, requires PACs to,accountability, requires PACs to,build Committee capacity through training of members, build Committee capacity through training of members, retain members for the full Parliament period so that they retain members for the full Parliament period so that they can accumulate adequate skills, knowledge, and experience can accumulate adequate skills, knowledge, and experience on functions and operations of Committee, and on functions and operations of Committee, and government,government,

develop skills to enable them do better and more effective develop skills to enable them do better and more effective analysis,analysis,

encourage political parties to select PAC members best encourage political parties to select PAC members best suited to handle both public finance and management,suited to handle both public finance and management,

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have freedom to chose areas to scrutinize, not influenced have freedom to chose areas to scrutinize, not influenced by any other body or authority, (including Audit Office),by any other body or authority, (including Audit Office),apply best practices, learning from best practices thus, apply best practices, learning from best practices thus, should encourage exchange of information,should encourage exchange of information,be conversant with formulation of public policies and be conversant with formulation of public policies and strategies, and establishment of public bodies and strategies, and establishment of public bodies and structures, and how such all these affect the public sector, structures, and how such all these affect the public sector, and expenditure,and expenditure,ensure Parliament is fully briefed on policy changes, the ensure Parliament is fully briefed on policy changes, the reasons why, and consequences,reasons why, and consequences,be guided by principles of fair play, honesty and respect be guided by principles of fair play, honesty and respect for other stakeholders i.e. rules based, to promote public for other stakeholders i.e. rules based, to promote public interest and confidence not partisanism.interest and confidence not partisanism.

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In addition, PACs need to use financial accountability as a tooIn addition, PACs need to use financial accountability as a tool to l to improve public management and;improve public management and;make public sector deliver on its commitments,make public sector deliver on its commitments,achieve desired results and leverage change to modernize public achieve desired results and leverage change to modernize public sector and overall economic management,sector and overall economic management,facilitate change of attitude by public sector workers to see facilitate change of attitude by public sector workers to see themselves as facilitators and partners in national development,themselves as facilitators and partners in national development,encourage government to perform only those functions it can bestencourage government to perform only those functions it can bestperform and outsource what other providers can do better,perform and outsource what other providers can do better,emphasize on risk mitigation to reduce revenue leakages and wastemphasize on risk mitigation to reduce revenue leakages and wastes,es,encourage availability of more accurate and timely, financial anencourage availability of more accurate and timely, financial and d management data, greater stakeholder participation, and more management data, greater stakeholder participation, and more ethical management practices,ethical management practices,emphasize the fact that accountability cannot be complete until emphasize the fact that accountability cannot be complete until it it incorporates reporting on results.incorporates reporting on results.

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ConclusionConclusionFor PACs to cultivate and sustain public and stakeholder trust, For PACs to cultivate and sustain public and stakeholder trust, it is it is

important to operate on clear rules, systems, practices and important to operate on clear rules, systems, practices and procedures. They need to protect public interests, those of, thprocedures. They need to protect public interests, those of, the e Committees, the members and Parliament.Committees, the members and Parliament.

It is critical to protect such interests when in power, in ParlIt is critical to protect such interests when in power, in Parliament, in iament, in Committees etc and when outside both Government and Parliament.Committees etc and when outside both Government and Parliament.

Note that any time Parliaments and their Committees are accused Note that any time Parliaments and their Committees are accused of of partisanism and public believes such accusations; both the integpartisanism and public believes such accusations; both the integrity rity and effectiveness of these critical institutions are undermined.and effectiveness of these critical institutions are undermined.

Members owe it to themselves and the people who serve in such Members owe it to themselves and the people who serve in such committees, the people they serve, and public at large, that PACcommittees, the people they serve, and public at large, that PACs are s are seen to be fair but firm.seen to be fair but firm.

In a democracy, we canIn a democracy, we can’’t afford to be seen to cut corners. If we do, t afford to be seen to cut corners. If we do, others will cut them against us when they have the opportunity.others will cut them against us when they have the opportunity.

Thank youThank you