President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) to use its publications to help the general public understand how petroleum resources are handled and to explain its stance on issues quickly if it is misinterpreted in the media.
Regarding the relationship between PIAC and the Ministry of Finance, he said that delays in information transmission between the two agencies have stoked controversy due to distortions in the deadline schedules of the two institutions’ reporting obligations.
“I will, in conclusion, encourage the Ministry of Finance and PIAC to rekindle the holding of their quarterly meetings to ensure that issues of mutual interest and concern are resolved through dialogue,” President Akufo-Addo said at the 10th anniversary celebration of PIAC, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
“I also appeal to PIAC to help provide the general public with a clearer understanding of how petroleum resources are handled through its publications, and to explain its stance on matters quickly if it is misconstrued in the media space,” he added.
Mr. Akufo-Addo also reaffirmed the government’s support for the work of the Public Interest and Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), which is charged with monitoring and reviewing government and other related institutions’ compliance with the Petroleum Revenue and Management Act (PRMA) in the management and use of petroleum revenues and investments.
“Relationships between PIAC and Government, which were at times tumultuous in the past, have been largely cordial and fruitful, at least since I took office in 2017, and this has resulted in the prudent use of our nation’s petroleum revenues for the welfare and profit of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
According to the President, since 2017, the government has ensured that, unlike in the past, PIAC’s budgetary allocations have been released to allow it to carry out its functions.
“In view of the pandemic, a sum of GH3.1 million was issued to PIAC in 2020, with GH2.35 million expected to be released this year,” he said.
Indeed, the President announced that PIAC used a portion of its 2018 budgetary allocation to purchase its new office building in East Legon, Accra, putting an end to the era of landlord evictions and attacks.
“As long as I am President, I will provide full and timely support to PIAC,” he promised.
President Akufo-Addo urged PIAC to continue to engage the government and related stakeholders, “now more than ever,” and to contribute to Ghana’s economic development through the effective use of the country’s hydrocarbon resource
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SOURCE: ATLFMNEWSONLINE
