MASERU, July 21 – The Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, Mrs. Florina Rakeketsi, has on Tuesday failed to update the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the termination of the SSL Joint Venture waste management contract with Maseru City Council (MCC), saying the ministry is still awaiting legal advice from the Attorney General.
The contract, valued at M27.3 million, was terminated by MCC on the grounds that the procurement process did not comply with the Procurement Act of 2023.
Appearing before the committee, Mrs. Rakeketsi said the ministry wrote to the Attorney General on July 10 requesting a legal opinion and guidance on the matter.
She said the ministry has not yet received a response, adding that the Attorney General’s Office only acknowledged receipt of the letter on Monday.
Mrs. Rakeketsi also told the committee that she had limited information on the matter because the substantive Principal Secretary, who is the ministry’s Chief Accounting Officer, is currently on leave and had only given her a brief handover.
Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Mrs. Machabana Lemphane Letsie said the committee would allow the Acting Principal Secretary time to familiarise herself with the matter, collect the necessary information and return to provide a detailed briefing.
“You are bound by law to answer questions on issues concerning the ministry you are leading,” Mrs Letsie said.
Meanwhile, the committee’s inquiry into procurement processes within the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship is continuing.
Ends/LP
