Mahikeng- The Financial Management Improvement Support programme which was put in place by the department of Finance in the two years ago, aimed at assisting the departments and public entities to compile and submit annual financial statements in time has continued to yield positive results.

This became evident last Friday when all provincial departments and public entities beat the deadline and submitted their annual financial statements for audit purpose.

In terms of the Public Finance Management Acts (PFMA) accounting officers for a department, public entity or constitutional institution must submit financial statements within two months after the end of the financial year to the auditor general for auditing purpose.

MEC for Treasury and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson said this is the step in the right direction as this is for the second year in a row that North West provincial government account for the use of state funds and resources on time.

The MEC commended the programme and said she hopes it continues so that the state of financial management in the province changes for the better.

Nelson who has just commenced with her work in the department said the improvement of financial management of government institutions to ensure accountability in the use of public funds is of utmost importance. She said the accountability for state resources will occupy centre stage in all phases of government planning in the provincial government going forward.

She said the provincial government will consolidate on the gains it has made and strengthen the efforts to attain good governance which remains vital towards service delivery and place the North West province on the countries’ map.

The MEC commended the entities such as Provincial Council on Aids for ensuring that the financial statements of the council are submitted despite the challenges raised by the new Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

“Against all odds the PCA managed to account for the funds used and this was made possible by the willpower of all officials concerned. This was made possible by the extent to which they carried out their responsibilities towards changing the face of audit and particularly the lives of ordinary people in the province”, said MEC.

She emphasized that the relationship between good governance and service delivery must at all times remain the key principles that underscores the work of government and the premise from which the leadership of this province develop a shared vision of the people.

The MEC said it is important that in every task carried official must strive for quality and not perform duties for compliance.

“I therefore hope that the annual financial statements which are submitted for 2013/14 financial year will get the province an unqualified opinions at the end of the audit period otherwise it will be myopic and self defeating”, said MEC.

The event was attended by amongst others, chief financial officers and personnel in the financial management sections, the provincial accountant general Mr Geo Paul, department of finance HoD Mr Raedani Maada and the provincial auditor general Mr Lee Ally.-TDN
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