Auditors part of system: Official

By HELEN TARAWA
GOVERNMENT agencies should not fear auditors if they have not done anything wrong in managing their finances, an official says.
Finance Department deputy secretary, special projects, Sam Penias told The National that auditors were not there to find faults in government departments.
Penias, who officiated at the launching of the Registry of Political Parties and Candidates Commission audit committee yesterday, said auditors looked at systems and processes of the Government.
“A lot of times government agencies think that auditors are like policemen and are there to report them,” he said.
He said it was a requirement by law for all agencies of government that received funding to have an audit unit and an audit committee.
“Section 9 of the Public Finance Management Act gives the mandate for all government agencies to establish an audit unit and the committee,” Penias said.
“Secretary for Finance Dr Ken Ngangan has the authority to stop funding if they don’t have the unit and the committee.
“The importance of having that is to ensure the process and system of government works effectively.”
Penias said a lot of times people talk about public servants not performing their duties. “It is through this process that ensures the system and process in the government service works effectively,” he said.
“In the absence of a good governance process, corruption and misappropriation take place.”
Penias also stressed that the audit unit and the committee should be supported with resources to perform their duties.
“We have investigators and auditors who tell you the systems and processes of government,” he said.
“If they see that something is wrong, they will raise a red flag.
“The management must explain to tell management that they are there to support them.
“If the management does all the right things, they will fear nothing and no body.
“Auditors must also report to the agency heads before doing their work so that there is constant dialogue.”