Maravi

Auditor General’s office not independent, observes envoy

Auditor General’s office not independent, observes envoy
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Kasama
Saturday, January 10, 2009 2:52:40 AM

THE Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is not yet fully independent, acting Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia Gunnar Boe has observed.

Speaking on behalf of all donors to the OAG at the official opening of the Office of the Auditor General in Kasama on Wednesday, Boe said there was need for autonomy of that office.

“It is also important to secure an increased autonomy of the OAG as it is not yet fully independent as per the Lima convention,” Boe said.

“Public investment in the OAG has a high rate of return through reducing mismanagement of public funds and as much improving public service delivery and reducing poverty.”

However, he observed that a strong OAG was not sufficient to attack corruption and ineffective management of public funds.

“It has to be matched by strengthening the other oversight institutions of finance management across the public service; institutions like the office of the accountant general, ACC [Anti-Corruption Commission] and the Task Force on Corruption,” he said.

“We would welcome a statement from GRZ [Government of the Republic of Zambia] on this as a continued priority for the new government.”

He said prudent and efficient management of public funds according to plans and priorities was a prerequisite for fostering sustainable development.

“This takes transparency and accountability. Anything else gives room for mismanagement and corruption which is undermining development- and to be a bit blunt - steal from those that are suffering most, namely the poor,” Boe said.

“In this context the OAG plays an instrumental role and this is exactly why countries like Zambia need a strong and independent OAG. This is also why the donor community has actively supported capacity building of the OAG over [the] years as a supplement to GRZ’s own input.”

He said the opening of the OAG Kasama office was part of a decentralisation of the OAG, which brings it closer to the local level of public service delivery.

“Such decentralisation is key to obtaining transparency and accountability to the receiving population of public service delivery,” said Boe.

“It is now important that the OAG continues to be prioritised by increased staffing and financial allocation from GRZ.”

And President Rupiah Banda pledged his total support to the OAG.

“Government has put in place laws and systems to strengthen institutions and prevent corruption, abuse of office and other irregularities in public institutions. What I expect therefore is total adherence to these laws and systems,” said President Banda.

Labels: AMBASSADOR, AUDITOR GENERAL, GUNNAR BOE

posted by MrK @ 2:54 AM