Financial reports not audited, says Launa

PNG Sports Foundation executive director Iamo Launa admitted the organisation had failed to produce financial statements which were revealed by the Auditor General’s Office recently. 
Launa was responding to an article in The National on Wednesday calling on the national government to direct the Task Force Sweep team to probe the foundation for failing to acquit its financial statements and reports.
A prominent sports personality Soiat Williams queried what Launa had been doing to get the foundation in order after vowing to weed out corruption and instill transparency in the organisation. 
Launa said when she was appointed as executive director four years ago, previous financial reports were also not furnished and she made an attempt to rectify the problem. 
She said in a statement yesterday that she had realised the problem and sought approval from the board to engage an accounting firm to update the financial statements and allow auditors to carry out normal auditing.
The foundation took out an advertisement seeking interests from accounting firms to be engaged in updating the financial statements.
The process has been completed and a firm will be engaged to start work soon.
In relation to allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement the foundation has made against her, Launa said she had provided explanation and supporting documents to the Ombudsman Commission for deliberation.
She said it was beyond her control if they had taken steps to furnish the report.
The board was suspended in September last year and the government is in the process of appointing a new board.
Launa said Williams could have discussed the matter with her rather than going to the media.
She added William was frustrated because the foundation could not pay him for his consultancy services provided to establish a national sports coordination secretariat.
William was tasked by the then Minister for Sports Philemon Embel to provide consultancy services that was signed by his delegate and then first secretary John Kambuou for payment.
However, The National was reliably informed that Launa questioned Kambuou’s authority as the Minister’s delegate and did not approve the payment.
Launa maintains the payment could not be made because proper procedures and approval were not followed.
There was no funds allocated for such a project.