Remarks · 7 November 2023
Chairman and Members of the Pending Bills Verification Committee Good afternoon,
It is my pleasure to congratulate the chairman, vice-chairperson and members of the Pending Bills Verification Committee for your appointment. As you are all aware, when I took office I committed to bring the matter of public sector pending bills to a speedy and conclusive resolution.
The Government is therefore committed to meeting its obligations as and when they fall due as a matter of policy and legal obligation. Besides a culture of overdue pending bills serves no purpose other than to drive businesses into ruin, force micro, small and medium enterprises to shut down and increase unemployment, leading to general underperformance of the economy.
It is the duty of Government to facilitate better economic performance through expeditious resolution of the Government's expenditures reduce pending bills and restore confidence of suppliers and other stakeholders. This will generate hope to our great men and women who have ventured into micro, small and medium enterprises and desire to provide efficient and effective services and goods to the Government.
The Government promised creditors that we shall advise them on the mechanisms for the resolution of genuine outstanding payments. We have, therefore, constituted this committee as promised. This is a clear demonstration that we are committed to settling verified pending bills owed by Government within the shortest time possible.
It is on this understanding that the Pending Bills Verification Committee has been established to advise on the most effective and efficient way of reducing the pain experienced by suppliers. I am aware that some have had their property auctioned, and are being pursued by creditors, particularly financial institutions, while others have suffered medical conditions. This is not acceptable and, moving forward, we will ensure goods and services are paid for within a reasonable time.
It is therefore expected that, within the shortest time possible, you will be able to provide a clear framework for the resolution of the pending bills owed by Government as well as make concrete recommendations on which claims are payable having ascertained that goods and services were delivered to the Government.
The Government will ensure there is a complete stop to the accumulation of pending bills given their adverse effects on the economy, the private sector and, even more severely, on micro, small and medium enterprises.
It is my expectation that this committee will analyse and scrutinise thoroughly any pending bills claim submitted before making recommendations for payment, including adherence to the provisions of the law.
I am also well aware that there may be a few cases in which the Government consumed goods and services, but the documentation is not complete. In this case, the Government will rely on your recommendations to resolve such complex disputes in a fair and just manner to facilitate and instil confidence in Government and the economy.
It will be the responsibility of the claimants to submit their claims to your committee. In addition, the committee should put the onus of proof vis-a-vis the veracity of the pending bills on the individual contractors/consultants.
In undertaking its mandate, the Pending Bills Verification Committee is urged to take into consideration challenges identified in the reports of previous committees on verification of pending bills and apply them appropriately for speedy resolution.
With these few remarks, I now declare this Pending Bills Verification Committee officially inaugurated and wish you all the best as you settle down to work. Thank you. God Bless you.