Parliament has asked those implicated in the audit report to get ready for parliamentary summons to account for money allegedly unaccounted for.

In a public notice, the law-making body, via the Deputy Speaker’s Office, acknowledged receipt of the 2022 Audit Report.

“The Office of the Acting Speaker or the Deputy Speaker of Parliament hereby informs the general public that on 19th December 2023, the Report of the Auditor General for 2022 was laid on the Table of Parliament as provided for by sub-section 4 of section 119 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, in tandem with SO 70(5).

The said section states: “The Auditor-General shall within twelve months of the immediately preceding financial year, submit his report to Parliament and shall in that report draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited and to any other matter which in his opinion ought to be brought to the notice of Parliament”, the public notice confirmed.

Parliament however cautioned persons not to be contemptuous in handling the audit report.

“Parliament wants the general public to note that the Report has been committed to the Public Accounts Committee for necessary investigations, public hearings and recommendations on the findings thereof. The public is therefore assured that Parliament will conclude investigations into the Auditor General’s Report within two months of this release.

Meanwhile, Parliament wishes it to be known that the Auditor General’s Report is the property of Parliament and that persons and institutions who intend to complement Parliament’s mandate in holding auditees accountable are advised to wait on the outcome of the parliamentary processes and procedure. It will be contemptuous if this order is violated,” the statement warned.

Copyright — Expo Times News on Friday, December 22nd, 2023 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)