Once again the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is being investigated for mismanagement of funds, according to the lead story in Tuesday's Gleaner.

According to the story, the Fraud Squad has been called in to investigate the spending of about $20 million in less than a year.

Interestingly, last year a similar investigation was done after irregularities were detected at the agency. The probe is also looking into allegations of corruption and wanton spending.

This is not the first time a government agency is accused of mismanaging money, but the practice seemingly continues because no one is punished for it.

Spending public money (tax payers money) is serious business and the Government has a duty and the people too, to demand that it be used with conscience and without wastage. We cannot allow everyone to spend as they like without accountability.

It is certainly accepted that no one is perfect and so mistakes will be made from time to time, but the magnitude of the mismanagement and the length of time over which it usually occurs leads one to believe that there is no conscience guiding those who spend public funding.

It sometimes seem as if they are serving to achieve their own personal goals rather than working to help the public.

Possibly the people should push to have public officials do the work voluntarily. Maybe then, people who genuinely care about the people and who want better for the country will come forward and offer the selfless service that is needed to move the country forward.