Rwandan public servants must repay losses within 30 days
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The New Times (Rwanda)
Rwandan public servants responsible for financial losses must repay the sums due within 30 days of written notification, or according to a reasonable instalment schedule. The new public finance management rules also require losses to be reported immediately and investigated fully, according to the text published in the Official Gazette.
Rwandan public servants found responsible for financial losses or damage caused to public institutions will have to repay the sums due within 30 days of receiving written notification, under public finance management rules published in the Official Gazette on 30 October. Article 84 states that the Chief Budget Manager must notify the person in writing of the amount to be repaid; reasonable instalments are also possible.
If payment is not made, the case will be referred to the competent judicial authority. Losses resulting from unavoidable circumstances may be written off with the approval of the head of a central government entity or the Executive Committee of a decentralised entity. A thorough investigation may also lead to the write-off of losses due to criminal acts or omissions if the money or property cannot be recovered.
Article 85 requires public servants who discover or suspect the loss of public funds or property to report it immediately to their supervisor, copying in the head of asset management and the Chief Budget Manager. Institutions must investigate every report, and their employees are required to co-operate.
The new rules also provide for unpaid invoices to be classified monthly into four categories: less than 45 days, 45 to 90 days, 90 to 180 days, and more than 180 days. An unpaid invoice outstanding for more than 90 days is considered an arrear. Public institutions must prioritise settling arrears before paying their current obligations.
