PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE SUMMONS TREASURY PS OVER PSPF DEBT

Mr Dotto James.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Mr Dotto James, to appear before the committee tomorrow afternoon to give concrete answers on the debt that the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) owes the government.

PAC Chairperson Naghenjwa Kaboyoka summoned Mr James to appear in person insisting that he should not send any representative as PSPF had many issues that required direct answers from either the fund’s Board Chairperson or the Paymaster General.

The decision came after the PS failed to appear before the committee yesterday without issuing any official communication on his absence although he had confirmed earlier before the committee that he would attend.

“This committee is legally recognised by law, we don’t want to be taken for granted by anyone because our duty is to supervise the government,’’ said Ms Kaboyoka adding: “We have lost a lot of time discussing the PSPF documents since morning because we want the public to know the fate of their money and the only person to give concrete answers here is the PS.’’

PAC was yesterday set to discuss the financial reports of PSPF but as per the Parliamentary Standing Orders, the committee decided to postpone the session after the PS went missing.

Only in attendance were PSPF Director General, Adam Maingu, the Director of Planning and Investment, Mr Gabriel Silayo, the Director of Finance and Administration, Yahaya Majid and the Director of Operations, Ms Neema Muro. MPs were unhappy after the PS skipped a key crucial meeting, insisting that they were not ready to discuss the PSPF financial reports when the PS was absent.

According to the PSPF DG, already the minister has appointed the board members while the board chairperson’s appointment awaited an announcement by President John Magufuli. “He understands that PSPF has no board chair, and he surely understands that PSPF owes the government huge debts.

Therefore, as Paymaster General, he was supposed to attend the meeting or inform this committee the reasons as to why he failed to show up,’’ Mr Omari Kigua (Kilindi-CCM), said.

“The PS’s absence is blatant contempt of the parliamentary committee and wastage of our time because we need to discuss the public accounts and the government officials should be told to be serious,’’ said Sikonge MP, Mr Joseph Kakunda (CCM). Sumbawanga Urban MP Aeshi Hilaly (CCM) said the PSPF financial reports were very important because the fund had lost its direction because of huge debts it owes the government.

Mr Hilaly, who doubles as the committee’s Vice- Chairperson suggested, therefore, that the Treasury PS be given one day to appear before the committee.

Following the MPs’ concerns, the PAC chairperson postponed the meeting after summoning the Treasury PS to appear before her committee tomorrow.

“He should appear in person together with the top leadership of PSPF on Wednesday at 1pm,’’ said Ms Kaboyoka.

Daily News