Hickey criticises Auditor-General

 By BEATRICE BONAKOYA

PUBLIC Accounts Committee chairman John Hickey has criticised Auditor-General Philip Nauga over a delay in conducting audits for the National Housing Corporation. 

He said at the inquiry into the NHC that the committee would be serving Nauga with directives that he had to adhere to in relation to the NHC audits.

Nauga said the last audit carried out by government auditors was in 2010 for the year 2008.

Hickey also questioned why there was lack of consultation between the two departments over state-owned properties.  

Among other findings on Wednesday, the PAC heard that NHC managing director John Dege was not aware of the outstanding litigation amounting to more than K40 million for non-issuance of property titles. 

“This is a serious issue. State assets have to be accounted for,” Hickey said.

A report by the Auditor-General’s office revealed that more than K40 million was owed to citizens who have not been issued property titles dating back to 2008.

Hickey said the two offices failed to consult each other even after the committee ordered them to.

It is understood the committee met after the inquiry to deliberate on the issue. Attempts to get comments from the Auditor-General yesterday were unsuccessful.