Shiri Gounder, the Permanent Secretary for Finance, has clarified that the superannuation payments made to the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were issued directly by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) through manual telegraphic transfers, as they involved offshore payments.
During his testimony to the tribunal looking into the situation surrounding the DPP, Gounder explained that the ODPP managed these superannuation payments independently, without any input from the Ministry of Finance. He highlighted an important clause from the DPP’s employment contract, which allows the officer to decide where to contribute their superannuation, be it to local schemes or potentially overseas funds.
Regarding the DPP’s salary, Gounder noted that the Ministry of Finance adheres to the contractual obligations established between the DPP and the President, ensuring that all salary and benefit payments align with the established terms. The ministry executes these payments through the Government’s payroll system, consistently paying all civil servants according to their contracts and complying with the required FNPF contribution rates for superannuation.
Gounder emphasized the authority of the DPP within the ODPP, stating that this role includes the responsibility to manage any funds appropriated by Parliament independently. Following Gounder’s testimony, the tribunal has decided to adjourn the matter until a later date.
This situation highlights the complexities involved in public sector financial management, especially when it comes to self-governance within agencies. As the investigation continues, it offers an opportunity to improve transparency and governance practices within the ODPP and potentially strengthen the frameworks around financial management in the public sector.
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