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And today we asked the chairman of the PCC about this issue. He explained that what caused a lot of the backlog was their vendor system that was difficult to manage, but added that they're working on clearing the backlog. He also stated that the PCC should be allowed autonomy with a portion of the money allotted to them, rather than have to go through all the red tape and bureaucracy.
Anthony Chanona, Chairman, PCC
"This has been a challenge. It has been a challenge, and commissioners have been patient with the process. But more importantly, there is a lot of frustration within our creditors and our vendors. The government system of paying out of bills. Invoices require a procedure and a process. It was very difficult for us to identify who would be our vendors, to have been able to get all of them in the system that they can get their payments out on time."
"That that window of not having them in the system created a backlog that really and truthfully frustrated the process, slowed down the process. And fortunately, we were able to have some backdoor conversations. That has addressed the need for the PCC to be able to manage a portion of its own funds to expedite these payments while we build the the protocol and requirement of putting persons into the vendor system."
"Fortunately, thanks to mature discussions, closed door discussions, we were able to meet common goal and we are now functioning with our own parallel account."
Reporter:
"When you speak to vendors, does that include expenses that commissioners incur for fuel and travel and for printing of materials as for example.?"
Anthony Chanona, Chairman, PCC
"The loan make provision for allowances? We are going to be now addressing these back payments. Commissioners have been working traveling since April without receiving a dollar."
"We have started this week to make those payments. But the vendor system is a little more complex."
Reporter:
"Has the minister explained why there was there had to be this longer wait of money because when we spoke to him earlier in the week, he said, well, 1 million already got dispersed. So why is it that we had this backlog in the first place?"
Anthony Chanona, Chairman, PCC
"Well I'm sure the minister technically, he's saying the same thing, but in actual truth and in fact, in it since April 1st, 2023 to September seven, 2023, which was the, I say the mid-term of work, we expense about $467,000. And so we have the equivalent of a million plus $1,035,000 left to spend. We have not spent $1,000,000 as yet, but the process of moving money goes from the ministry of Finance to the Ministry of the Public Service and then into the vendor the system."
"What we have now been able to secure is that while we want to keep a portion of those funds in the Ministry of the Public Service, we want a certain portion of those funds to come from the Ministry of Finance directly into our home, where we can meet these small expedite payments to these small vendors and small suppliers that want their money."
We should note that the Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform is Chanona's son-in-law.
