The Department of Prime Minister and NEC today launched its firstInternal Audit Committee ofthe Department.
The Committee which includes Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc, Finance Secretary Stephen Gibson andthe office ofthe Attorney General will keep track ofthe departments spending.
All Departments and Provincial Governments have been urged to follow suit to ensure accountability and transparency prevails.
Duringthe launching, Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc said for a long time many state institutions lacked interest in keeping track of public finances.
This he said promoted corruption, and inthe end a lack of proper audits on spending.
Under Section 9 ofthe Public Finance Management Actoit is a requirement of all government institutions and provincial Governments to have audit committees in place.
This has not beenthe case in previous years. Mr Zurenuoc says its timethey all followed suit.
Last month, Mr Zurenuoc and Finance Secretary Stephen Gibson were summoned bythe Public Accounts Committee to answer concerning irregularities inthe 2008 National Accounts.
Mr Gibson said if all state agencies kept proper audits,then public monies will be properly accounted for.
TheInternal Audit Committee will be comprised of a five man team which include Mr Zurenuoc, Mr Gibson, Attorney General Phillip Nauga, and a Private Accounting Firm.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neil has been vocal about uprooting corruption withinthe public service. Andthe initial steps must be taken inthe year of implementation.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dbgPhN9yMxk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
