Parliament pushes accountability act to third reading

By Awan Achiek

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Monday pushed the Public Finance Management and Accountability Act 2011 (amendment bill 2024) from second to the third reading.

The bill presented by Changkuoth Bichioch Reth, Chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee on Finance and Economic Planning was initially tabled before the parliament in its first reading on 28th April 2023 by the Minister of Justice Reuben Madol Arol. The bill consists of 9 chapters and 44 sections.

Oliver Mori Benjamin, chairperson of the parliamentary committee for information and communication, told journalists after the session, that the bill has been pushed to the third reading stage in which most of the critical issues will be discussed before it is passed.

“In ordinary sitting number 5, chaired by Rt. Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jemma Nunu Kumba, the parliament passed the Accountability Act to the third reading stage. This is one of the most important amendments to this bill for accountability as required by the agreement,” Benjamin said.

Changkuoth Bichioch Reth, Chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee on Finance and Economic Planning, said the purpose of this Act is to control the management of public finances of the government, ensure accountability, regulate the preparation of the general budget and appropriation Bills.

He said the committee scrutinized the bill and observed the recommendation of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) as per the 2018 revitalized peace deal.