Audit reports go under scrutiny

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will begin inquiring into reports the Auditor General recently released.

The inquiry starts today.

The reports include:

Status of the Audits of Solomon Islands Government Entities as at 30 June 2008.
Status of Audits of Solomon Islands Government Entities as at 30 June 2007.
An Auditor-General’s Insights into Corruption in Solomon Islands Government.
The committee is chaired by South New Georgia-Tetepare MP, Francis Zama.
The audit reports have identified widespread use of government funds outside of normal procedures.
Other issues identified in the reports are:

Ministers and public Officials acting outside authority or acting without the appropriate authority;
Widespread non-compliance with the guiding legislation, financial instructions and general orders;
Serious breakdowns in financial management and accounting systems and procedural controls;
General lack of adequate and proper records maintenance;
Officials using positions of influence to assist associates to receive benefits;
Millions of dollars of revenue lost;
Conflicts of interest not declared;
Proliferation of unauthorized Government accounts and financial transactions occurring outside of authorized process;
Serious shortcomings around asset management and procurement.
Top government officials to appear before the committee are:

Ruth Liloqula, Secretary to Cabinet
Jeremiah Manele, Secretary to Prime Minister
Shadrach Fanega, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Treasury
Ishmael Avui, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service.
They’ll be questioned on the systematic problems that were identified in the Audit Reports.






Source: SIBC