Minister of Finance, Dennis K. Vandi.
The Minister of Finance, Dennis K. Vandi, in a letter addressed to both the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Commissioner General of NRA (National Revenue Authority) informed them that he was putting in place measures “For an independent forensic audit to be conducted into the Customs Services Department”.
The Minister said in the letter that the Chairperson of the Board of NRA was allegedly acting outside of her mandate by getting involved in the day-to-day management of the organization.
A decision taken by the Board Chairperson to instruct the Board Secretary to write and invite some big business entities to appear before an investigation panel set up to investigate certain transactions relating to these companies has been rescinded by the uncompromising Minister of Finance.
“We have no doubt that such action by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the NRA will result in an unhealthy business environment, impacting on the financial and economic governance of the state”, said Minister Vandi.
The Finance Minister continued, “In view of the foregoing, I hereby direct that all the invitations sent for the said investigation to the concerned businesses, be rescinded with immediate effect”.
In his final warning, the Minister of Finance said, “I also note that several structural and administrative changes are taking place at the Authority, without assessing the impact of such changes, which have resulted in increased personnel costs to the Authority. Going forward, no structural and administrative changes should take place at the Authority, without the approval of the Minister of Finance”.
A spokesman for NRA declined to be interviewed last night claiming that he needed to seek clearance from his line managers.
Investigations continue.
