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Dr Kereke

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Audit reports of parastatals need to be timely presented to Parliament for the enterprises to make a meaningful impact in nation-building, Parliament has heard.

Bikita West MP Dr Munyaradzi Kereke (Zanu-PF) recently said late presentation of audits of State entities did not help in addressing challenges and loopholes that could have been identified in the reports.

He said this while making a contribution on the report by the Public Accounts committee on the National Railways of Zimbabwe prepared by the Auditor General for 2011.

Dr Kereke said most audit reports that were being presented to Parliament for parastatals and Government Ministries were brought after more than four years had lapsed.

“As a country and Government we need to introspect and assess the effectiveness of the audit framework. As of now we are debating the state of NRZ as of 2011.

This is not acceptable that we allow our system to lag behind like this. We are closing the door when the horse has bolted,” said Dr Kereke.

He said there was need to appoint board members for parastatals on professional grounds and not other considerations.

Chegutu West MP Cde Dexter Nduna, echoed the same sentiments saying there was need to expeditiously submit audited accounts.

He said NRZ had the potential to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy if it was returned to viability.

“NRZ is a sleeping giant. When we talk of 18 million tonnes of cargo (per year) that NRZ used to carry, it is $1 billion accruing to the country,” he said.

Cde Nduna said addressing viability challenges being faced by NRZ should be done concurrently with efforts to clear salary arrears.

He said if that was not done, no significant benefits would be accrued because challenges of vandalism could recur as some of it was being perpetrated by workers as they had gone for several months with no salaries.

Other legislators bemoaned the state of NRZ considering the potential it had in propelling the country’s economic growth.

Last week’s debate was characterised by light moments as each time when a Zanu-PF legislator rose to make a contribution he would first congratulate Zanu-PF over its clean sweep for the just ended by-elections in 16 constituencies.

At one stage, Buhera West MP Cde Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) rose on a point of order to thank the MDC-T for presenting Zanu-PF with a present.

This was in reference to the stance by the opposition party to boycott the by-elections arguing that there must be reforms first before polls.