(3) The Cabinet may at any time amend or withdraw any directive issued by it under subsection (1). (4) The Minister shall cause any directive issued by the Cabinet under subsection (1) or any amendment or withdrawal of any such directive, to be published by notice in the Gazette. (5) If the Board objects to a directive of Cabinet issued under this section, the Board may within 30 days after receipt thereof submit its objections and the reasons therefor in writing to the Minister, who shall cause the same, together with his or her recommendations thereon to be laid upon the Tables in the National Assembly within 30 days of his or her receipt thereof if the National Assembly is in ordinary session or, if it is not then in ordinary session, within 14 days after the commencement of its next ordinary session. PART VIII ACCOUNTS AND STATEMENTS (ss 50-52) [NAMa15y1997s50]50 Financial year The financial year of the Bank shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty first day of December of that year. [NAMa15y1997s51]51 Accounts and audit (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the Board shall appoint a firm of accountants and auditors registered under the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Act, 1951 (Act 51 of 1951), who shall annually audit the Bank's books of accounts. (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), if in the opinion of the Minister there are reasonable grounds for doing so, he or she may direct the Auditor-General to investigate into and report on the accounts of the Bank or any matter relating to the affairs of the Bank, and the Bank shall provide the Auditor-General with all the information and facilities necessary for such investigation. (3) The report of the Auditor-General referred to in this section shall be in accordance with the directives of the Minister and shall be submitted to the Minister in writing. [NAMa15y1997s52]52 Submission and publication of accounts and reports (1) The Bank shall submit to the Minister within three months after the close of each financial year(a) a copy of the Bank's annual accounts certified by the auditors; (b) a report of the Bank's operations and affairs during that year; and (c) a report on the state of the economy. (2) The Bank shall, as soon as possible after the last business day of each month, but in any event within 15 business days, prepare and submit to the Minister a return of the Banks' assets and liabilities as at the close of business on that day. (3) The copy of the accounts and the report referred to in subsection (1)(a) and the return referred to in subsection (2) shall be signed by the Governor or the Deputy Governor and the chief financial officer of the Bank. (4)(a) The Bank shall cause the accounts, reports and returns referred to in subsections (1) and (2) to be published in such manner as the Minister may approve. (b) The Bank may at any time publish such other reports and studies on financial and economic issues as the Board deems appropriate. (5) The Minister shall, within 30 days after the receipt thereof, lay a copy of the annual accounts and reports referred to in subsection (1) upon the Tables in the National Assembly if the National Assembly is in ordinary session or, if it is not then in ordinary session, within 14 days after the commencement of its next ordinary session. PART IX MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (ss 53-62) [NAMa15y1997s53]53 Developmental role of Bank