Audit planned for all district grants: Minister

By REBECCA KUKU
AN audit will be carried out on all provincial and district governments on the use of their PSIP and DSIP funds next year, says Finance Minister Rainbo Paita.
Paita said the Office of Rural Development would carry out forensic investigations into all Provincial Services Improvement Programme (PSIP) and District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) funds and audit their books to ensure monies allocated for the districts and provinces were used for their intended purposes.
He also said an independent investigations and audits would also be carried out on all government departments.
“I will fully utilise the powers under the Public Finance Management Act to keep records and closely monitor all accounts of public offices and statutory bodies,” Paita said.
“Over the years, there have been budget blow outs, where people were just employed without been budgeted for.
“Projects were awarded without been budgeted for and that has caused a lot of inconveniences.
“So for next year, we will be carrying out independent investigations and audits to ensure that everyone stays and works within the budget allocated,” he said.
“I will be closely monitoring to ensure that we do not experience any budget blow outs.”