Government agencies hiring chartered accountants without going through the tender process have been warned against straying from this lawful procedure.
Member of Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj called out agencies that were not sticking to processes during the recent presentation of annual reports by the Sugar Industry Tribunal.
“We have actually seen that other agencies have started bringing chartered accountants without a proper tender process,” said Mr Maharaj.
“This is not the first time we are hearing this from other agencies that have actually started utilising chartered accountants without a proper tender process and this needs to ring a (warning) bell for the Public Accountants Committee.
“I think this needs to stop and the Ministry of Finance needs to be involved in this because we are using taxpayer money.”
He said government agencies could not involve chartered accountants for everything the agency did while compiling audited reports.
“We cannot just get chartered accountants involved in trying to clear the mess that agencies are in. If it needs to be done, then it needs to be done formally.
“This is a concern because this is not the first time we are hearing this.
“This should be a firm warning to all other agencies as well that they need to stop using chartered accountants without a tender process and just on the determination of the organisation they bring them in.
“It needs to be done formally.”
