By; Thaimu Bai Sesay
Taking robust actions against companies summoned but failed to register their presence at the Public Accounts Committee public hearing held on Monday 12th August 2024, the Committee has resolved to send accounts garnishing requests from NRA to the banks for update on the companies’ accounts.
The Chairman said companies either sure or not sure of having a liability or credit, once summoned by the Public Accounts Committee, it is incumbent upon them to go there and defend themselves with proof of receipts and documentations. Referencing representatives of companies that showed up despite their GST status, the Chairman said they were able to understand their situations and gave them time to pay or settle with NRA, simply because they respected the call of the PAC.
“For those that did not showed up, we are going to send the notice and their banks would now inform them. The first notice is not to collect but for the banks to give the Committee updates. So when they receive the updates it would then be incumbent upon them to reach out to the NRA and look at whatever maybe the case regarding their GST status. We are going to do the first step as provided by the Income Tax Act and GST Act,” PAC Chairman and Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa clarified.
The public hearing that took place on Monday at Parliament administrative building conference room was for all taxpayers that owe outstanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) arrears for the financial year 2021. It is in accordance with the resolution adopted by the PAC on the 3rd July 2024. On behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Aaron Arun Deputy Opposition Leader 2 commenced the hearing and probed almost all the companies that showed up with robust and exceptional knowledge. Companies such as DHL and few others since they had no liabilities and were on credits, they were relieved without wasting much time. Most others that owe arrears were instructed to pay at a maximum of 48 hours, while those whose situations were a bit complicated were told to meet the NRA for clarifications.
Responding to other issues regarding the work of PAC, the Chairman of the Public Account Committee, Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa expressed concern over some set of people’s reactions about PAC’s massive recovery of state funds. The Chairman affirmed that they are doing it at no interest, unlike the ACC that collect percentage from every money they recover. He said they collect Government money without asking for anything. “We are not collecting anything as percentage. The only thing we want to do is to put NRA in its right steps,” he reassured.
PAC Chairman revealed that thou they do collect more money, they could only ask Government to increase their salaries. He added that they could not say, for instance, since they had collected 30 billion and 1 percent should be deducted and given to the committee and subsidiaries for their proactive and relentless effort.
The Chairman expressed commendation to members of the Fourth Estate, covering the public hearings. He said they had been doing a fantastic work, by taking out the information for debtors to know if they are liable and are going to pay, adding that the PAC would continue to be putting out their names. “The era of secrecy has passed. Under my chairmanship and watch no more secret,” PAC Chairman emphasized.
