~MP demands explanation after civil servants raise concerns over Finance responsibilities~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has publicly questioned whether two government ministries may have been exercising powers that legally belong to the Receiver's Office, raising concerns over the management of government revenue collection.
Speaking during the notifications segment of Monday's Central Committee meeting, Irion said civil servants had approached him with concerns that the Ministries of TEATT and VROMI had, for several months, been performing revenue collection functions normally assigned to the Receiver's Office within the Ministry of Finance.
Addressing Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs directly, Irion called for a clear explanation of the legal authority behind the arrangement.
"I want to understand what the legal basis was for that," Irion stated, emphasizing that government should never execute administrative decisions without ensuring they are supported by law.
The MP questioned who authorized the transfer of responsibilities and whether legislation or regulations permitted such a move.
"I don't want us in government to be doing things, and then when we look, we do it and execute, that there was actually no legal basis for that to happen," he warned.
Irion further questioned why, after reportedly experiencing operational problems, responsibility now appears to be shifting back to the Ministry of Finance.
"So who made this decision? Why? And show me where there's a legal basis for that," he said.
His remarks place renewed focus on internal government procedures and accountability, particularly at a time when Parliament is scrutinizing the country's financial management during the ongoing 2026 budget discussions.
Should the concerns prove justified, Parliament may seek additional clarification from the Minister of Finance regarding whether statutory responsibilities were reassigned without the necessary legal framework.
The issue now adds another layer to the budget debate, where lawmakers continue to examine government governance, transparency, and compliance with existing financial legislation.
