The PAC was told that the ministry could not provide the receipts generated after the motor vehicle advance debit cards were used to purchase petrol for the ministry's vehicles.

Pressed to account for the receipts, Dr Hayles told committee members that he could not furnish details about the receipts at this time.

Unacceptable

This answer drew the ire of committee member Everald Warmington, who charged that the technocrat's response was unacceptable.

He said the unpreparedness of accounting officers who appeared before the PAC was frustrating the work of the committee.

Dr Hayles later blamed the transport manager for not insisting that the receipts be submitted on a regular basis. The transport manager had been fired, he informed the committee.

"We are now insisting that they bring in the receipts and there is the threat now that the fuel supply would be cut off if they are not brought in," he said.