The proceedings of the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the body in the National Assembly tasked with scrutinizing the financial performance of public institutions has been described as 'going smooth.'

Out of the 51 government enterprises and agencies, 26 institutions have successfully been scrutinized by the committee with 14 agencies presently deferred.

This was disclosed to newsmen yesterday at a press briefing organized at the office of the speaker, at the Assembly Chambers in Banjul.

Honorable Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East, said on 25th August 2008, the committee began the process. According to him, the work of the committee is a constitutional requirement, empowering the Assembly to scrutinize government institutions, public enterprises and agencies. He made it categorically clear that the scrutiny process is not a witch-hunt but that it aims to see how best to overcome the obstacles faced by these institutions by providing certain recommendations.

He observed though that this had not been happening until the advent of the current administration. "But since Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay took office to date, she has enforced dramatic changes and provided space for all to participate," he said. Honourable Jatta then recognised the support of President Jammeh in the process.

Sedia Jatta, NAM for Wuli West described the level of cooperation from the agencies as fair. He hailed the Office of the Speaker for upholding the dictates of a constitutional requirement, describing it as happening for the first time in the history of The Gambia. He observed that it is a constitutional mandate for people to know how public agencies generate revenue.

For her part, Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay noted that they already know what they intend to achieve as the process is going on smoothly. She added that the process is good for the country as it will showcase the transparency and accountability instituted by the leadership, which, she said, does not condone corruption. She further noted that it will also help donor countries to have faith in the country and to come over for activities of cooperation.

The speaker then revealed that to ensure transparency and accountability, seven external auditors have been secured to audit the 51 agencies. "This is a problem and a very difficult job. But because [of the fact that] President Jammeh is a true Pan-Africanist and we also need to demonstrate our role in the sub-regional integration effort, external auditors are allowed to audit our agencies. Therefore, we successfully scrutinised the agencies last year, and we hope to equally do the same this year," she said.

She thanked President Jammeh for his support of the committee, and for having responded to the last report submitted to him. She warned that the PAC is resolved to invoke the constitution on any institution that does not respect the commission. She also hailed the support gained from the IMF, World Bank and the UNDP Support Project of the National Assembly, to build a secretariat for the Public Accounts Committee.