No ministry should be returning money, says Were

By Joel Okwayo

The Parliamentary Committee on Transport wants the Government to simplify procurement procedures to prevent Ministries from returning funds to Treasury at the close of every financial year.

The committee said it was shocked that the Ministry of Roads returned over Sh7.8 billion yet roads are in pathetic condition throughout the country.

“It is sad that the money was not used despite being allocated for projects,” said the Committee Chairman David Were.

Were said he was disappointed to learn that the money was returned and yet his committee had grilled Roads Minister Franklin Bett over delays to release the funds to constituencies.

The National Tax Payers Association disclosed in its report Bett returned over Sh7.8 billion while Ministry of Education returned Sh23.5 billion.

The ministry of Internal Security returned Sh11.3 billion while Water and Irrigation returned Sh6.3 billion.

Were said the Government should review the Procurement Act to enable ministries release funds for projects without delays.

“How can money be returned yet some of the contractors who were given tenders in various constituencies have not been paid their money,” asked Were who was speaking in Matungu during inspection of projects in the constituency.

Were said it was wrong for the Ministry of Education to return money to Treasury when many schools are ill equipped.