FINANCE MINISTER MAY BE IN BREACH OF FINANCE ACT 2013
The Parliamentary Opposition Group says the Minister of Finance and Treasury may be in breach of section 52(1)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act 2013, which requires him to table the mid-year review report on the execution of the 2016 budget within seven months from the start of the financial year.
The Opposition Office says it is now September and there is no indication that this report is ready to be tabled in the National Parliament.
An Opposition statement says the Minister must be strongly reminded that this is not a mere formality BUT a legal provision to ensure accountability by the Executive.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Opposition calls on the Speaker of Parliament to ensure the executive complies with the requirements of the law.
It strongly reminds the Minister and the Government to ensure the 2017 budget is tabled as required by section 48(1) of the PFM Act 2013 to allow Parliament to scrutinise the budget.