Parliament approves budget estimates of three agencies

Accra, Mar. 9, GNA- Parliament on Tuesday approved the budgets of three agencies for the 2004 fiscal year in separate motions moved by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong.

The sum of 133.7 billion cedis went to the Office of Parliament, Audit Service had 81.5 billion cedis while the Public Services Commission (PSC) had 4.5 billion cedis.

The welfare of Members of Parliament (MPs) was discussed extensively during contributions to the debate on the budget of the Office of Parliament.

Mr. Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South, called for more efforts to solve the many problems facing MPs including facilities at meetings and accommodation.

He stressed the need for Parliament to make provision for the creation 230 new constituencies as new MP's were expected to join in the next Parliament 2005.

The Speaker, Mr. Peter Ala-Adjetey, however said the 133.7 billion cedis allocated to the Office of Parliament were only meant for 2004 and the new MPs would be taken care of in the 2005 budget.

He said the MP was dealing with the issue of investment, which was being taken care of, adding that preparations were taking place and some work had started to cater for the 30 new constituencies. Mr. Owusu-Adjapong said the Ministry of Finance has promised to make available 25 billion cedis for the completion of the tower block (Job 600) and also there were plans to complete ahead of schedule, the Parliament Annex building to provide more facilities for Parliamentarians.

During the debate on estimates for the Audit Service, the MPs were worried that very little money has been made available to the Service despite the additional responsibilities given to the Audit Service to audit the performance of organisations in addition to auditing the actual physical cash of such organisations.

The members expressed concern about inadequate resources of the Service.

According to the Report of the Special Budget Committee on the 2004 Annual Estimates of the Audit Service, it requested for 229.3 billion cedis for its operations for this year.

"The Ministry of Finance and Economic planning however provided only 81.5 billion cedis," the report said.

The Committee therefore recommends that the balance of 96.4 of the reviewed estimates of the Audit Service be considered as priority when preparing a supplementary budget within the year.

"The Committee is of the view that for the nation to have confidence in the Audit Service more effort is needed to be done by the Service to exert its authority as an independent agency as stipulated in the Audit Service Act," the report added.

Mr. Steve Akorlie, NDC-HO East called on the Auditor-General to make available to Parliament forensic audit reports carried out on various organisations as promised in the 2001 budget statements of the Finance Minister.

Meanwhile the Report of the Special Budget Committee on the 2004 Annual Estimates of the Public Services Commission (PSC) said provision has been made by the Commission to renovate its buildings, acquire more vehicles and train some of its staff as part of its investment for this year.

The report, which was presented to the house during the approval of the budget estimates for the Commission, said there was the need to provide guidelines for appointments, promotions and disciplinary procedures in the service to ensure that all stakeholders were conversant with the processes to facilitate equity and fairness.