Pringle Leads PAC in Clash Over Transparency, Debt, and Social Security
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle convened Thursday in a heated session that laid bare concerns over government debt, statutory body compliance, and the transparency of Social Security’s finances.
The meeting opened with procedural corrections but quickly shifted to weightier matters. Pringle pressed for the committee’s rules of procedure to be formally tabled in Parliament, citing recurring disorder and tensions that erupted during exchanges with government members.
The Director of Audit and the Accountant General updated members on decades-old financial adjustments, including accounts tied to long-defunct entities such as a 19th-century savings bank. While some entries could be cleared administratively, others require parliamentary approval to be written off. Officials promised progress by year’s end, but Pringle warned that delays risked leaving the nation’s books perpetually distorted.
Lawmakers voiced frustration at statutory bodies failing to table audited statements. Social Security was singled out, with only management accounts from 2022 available. The Director of Audit stressed that managerial accounts carry no independent opinion, underscoring the gap in accountability. Members pushed for a compliance table tracing patterns from 2010 onward to expose chronic offenders.
Scrutiny turned to the $330 million bond issued to Social Security. Pringle questioned why interest payments had been frozen for nearly a decade and whether the arrangement had proper parliamentary approval. Treasury officials acknowledged the debt as “priority” but admitted payments have been inconsistent, often relying on asset swaps instead of cash.
The committee also examined the status of NAMCO, a state-owned company. Audits for its first four years (2017–2020) were reportedly completed by the Auditor General but may never have been tabled in Parliament. Members agreed this omission should be corrected at the next sitting.
The session was marked by sharp clashes between Pringle and government MPs. Accusations of misleading the public flew across the table, highlighting the political divide over the committee’s mandate. Pringle argued the PAC is being “handicapped” without full access to accounts, while government members countered that other parliamentary mechanisms exist to demand answers.
Later discussions revealed uncertainty about several government investments, with Pringle pressing for a complete listing. Officials admitted that gaps in documentation meant research would be needed before clarity could be provided.
As the meeting closed, Pringle thanked auditors and civil servants for their technical support but stressed that real oversight depends on timely financial disclosure. Broadcasting the proceedings live, he said, was only the first step toward ensuring transparency in public finances.
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is that the SCRIPT Pringle was given by the CHAOS DEMON??? Did he even understand what he was asking??? His reasoning and critical thinking skills are sadly lacking.
Little Black Boy, stop let gizelle pappyshow you!