By MUHAMMED S. BAH
Public Accounts Committee/Public Enterprise Committee (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly for the year 2015/2016 kick started with the adoption of the Audited and Financial Report of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) on Monday 11 April, 2016. During the scrutiny of the SSHFC report, PAC/PEC members commended the Corporation for being 95% compliance with the GPPA procurement policies. They, however, raised the issue on progress regarding efforts in retrieving the outstanding debts that are owed by different institutions.
Hon. Alhagie Sillah, National Assembly Member (NAM) for Banjul North, said the SSHFC should ensure having better policies with regards to fund management, adding that it should work towards establishing a habitat (housing) bank .
Hon. Muhammed Magassey, NAM for Basse, raised concern regarding the purchasing of fertilisers by SSHFC.
Responding to the concerns raised by the members of the PAC/PEC on the retrieval of the institutional loans, Mr. Edward Graham, SSHFC Managing Director, revealed that they are working for the establishment of a tribunal to prosecute defaulters. He said they are working in consultation with the ministry of justice on this issue.
On the issue of the habitat bank, the SSHFC MD said they will be working with the central bank of the Gambia to ensure its establishment.
Regarding the fertilizer issue, he said “we have noted the concern, and we will involve agricultural experts for proper adviser on that. This initiative is to help farmers to enhance their production.”
Mr. Graham also told the PAC/PEC members that they have a risk management framework and will be working with experts to have an audit committee.
The joint committee finally adopted the SSHFC report.
