Assets/Properties Conference Closes
A one day sensitization workshop on the approved format for recording national assets and government properties has ended at the Miatta Conference Centre, Brookfield’s, Freetown.
In his welcome statement, the Chairman National Assets Commission Sierra Leone, Mr. Unisa Alim Sesay, alias Awoko, stated that the idea behind the conference was to inform public officials about their responsibility in the management of government assets and properties.
According to the Chairman, one of their responsibilities is to protect all properties belonging to government, adding that the National Assets Commission, which he described as the oldest among others, was established in January, 1991 to monitor government properties and ensure they are used for their intended purposes. He maintained that government properties include real estate and any other item bought by the Government of Sierra Leone for any state function.
The Chairman elaborated that section 5.3 of the National Assets Commission Act provides that there should be no disposal of government property without the knowledge of the commission, noting that defaulters will be fined thirty million Leones or serve three years jail term. He further explained that all government vehicles should be marked for identification to prevent their being misused, adding that government buildings should not only be insured against fire but it should also be provided with a fire extinguisher and flag pole.
Speaking on asset management, the Assistance Accountant- General in the Accountant General’s Office, Mr. Lunyanga N. Kaiwa, emphasized the importance of public account aspect in government and he made it clear that the Accountant -General’s Office is responsible for recording all revenue collected and paid to the consolidated fund. He dilated that preparing a policy on government asset requires the collaboration of all Ministries Department and Agencies. He pointed out that it is the responsibility of vote controllers to prepare an asset register and a national policy that would administer the procurement of all MDA’S across the country. He therefore called on all MDA’S to work with the commission for the general development of the country.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2014, https:. All rights reserved.
