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In this guide we will consider What is public sector investment in the public sector.

WHAT IS PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT

Public sector investment is an expense or expenditure made by the central government, a local government unit, or public corporation to acquire financial or non-financial assets with the aim of deriving some future benefit, interest, dividend, growth or productivity in the national economy.

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This definition is broad-based and meant to cover all public investments, the item 4 of the national estimates.

However, for purposes of preparing the national accounts of the consolidated Fund, a narrow-based definition of public investments is used, meant to cover only financial assets. This is because the final account of the consolidated fund is prepared on a modified cash basis.

Physical investment (tangible assets) is the most obvious, as involves constructing new buildings, roads and facilities. This is the type of investment included in the public capital budgets, and it is also the focal area of the Governments strategic investment programme.

However, this does not mean that operating expenditure on training, education and research is unimportant for the growth of a society. Expenditure in this areas is often, and rightly so, regarded as valuable investment for both individuals and society.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT

The financial Administration Regulation 2004 (L.I.1802); Sections 140 to 148 establish the rules for investment proposals:

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Investment Proposals

140. 1 Proposals for the establishment or purchase of stock or shares in any institution shall be submitted for approval to the Minister quoting the appropriate enactment.
141. The proposals shall give such information as the Mister may require and shall include copies of any prospectus, accounts or investigation of the financial affairs of the institution concernment and must indicate the proportion of the equity to be acquired.

Approval of Investment

141. If a proposal for investment is approved, the Minister shall inform the Controller and Accountant-General of the proposed purchase, designate the administering authority, and forward a copy of any agreement made in connection with the acquisition to the Controller and Accountant-General and to the Auditor –General.

Responsibility of the Administering Authority

142. The authority administering an equity investment shall:
143. subject to any direction of the government, act on its behalf in the exercise of ownership rights.
144. protects the public interest in the operation of the institution concerned
145. Receive the accounts of the institution concerned and draw the attention of the government to any matters arising;
146. Lodge and keep stock and share certificates in safe custody; and
147. ensures the due collection of dividends and their lodgments into Consolidated Fund.

Acquisition of Shares

143. The administering authority of an equity investment shall be responsible for arranging for the payment of stocks or shares through the Controller and Accountant-General.

Certificates of Shareholding

144. (1) as soon as the stock or share certificates have been received, the administering authority shall forward:
145. the original Certificate of Holding to the Minister; and
146. Copies to the Controller and Accountant-General, and the Auditor-General.

(2) The share held shall be checked on the last working day of each subsequent financial year by the administering authority and a new Certificate of Holding where applicable shall be forwarded to the Minister and Controller and Accountant-General and the Auditor-General.

Report to the Minister on Equity Investment

145. The administering authority shall report to the Minister:
146. A forecast of dividend to be included in the Consolidated Fund Revenue each year;
147. Any failure of the institution to present annual audited accounts;
148. information on distribution of profits;
149. any delay in declaration and payment of dividends;
150. any shortfall in profits and the reasons for it;
151. any unsatisfactory features of the institutions operations likely to endanger Governments investment and
152. any directions or representations made to the institutions in the capacity of owner.

Annual Accounts

146. (1) the administering authority shall ensure that copies of the annual audited accounts are forwarded to the Controller and Accountant-General, and to the Auditor-General.

(2) The administering authority shall confirm to the Minister that Governments interest is correctly reflected in the accounts of the institutions concerned and in the public accounts, and shall report any unsatisfactory features reflected in the accounts.

Annual Reports

147. The administering authority shall include a report on the operation of equity interest in the annual report submitted in accordance with section 41 of the Financial Administration Act, 2003, (Act 654).

Statement of Equity Interests Annual Accounts

148. (1) The Controller and Accountant-General shall include a statement of all Government Equity interests in the Annual Statement of Accounts submitted in accordance with Section 41 of the financial Administration Act 2003 (Act 654).

(2) The statement shall show in respect of each institution:

1. The full title of the institution;
2. The administering authority
3. The form and value of Governments investment
4. The proportion of the equity held and
5. The date of the latest annual audited accounts received from that institution

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