Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) Auditor-General gets tougher

Auditor-General gets tougher
By ARTHUR MWANSA

THE Auditor General’s (AG) office has established three specialised Audit departments to ensure value for money in the programmes that government and other public institutions are undertaking. The audit departments are performance and environment, information and technology and forensic and investigations.

Auditor General, Anna Chifungula said this at Lusaka’s Cresta Golfview Hotel yesterday when she officiated at a two-day media sensitisation workshop on specialised audits.

Ms Chifungula said with the support of the media, her office is determined to provide more quality audit reports to enable journalists discharge their functions effectively.

“I am aware that the media plays a critical role in promoting good governance, accountability and transparency. The manner with which the media has been covering my reports through their articles is encouraging, not only to me but also to my officers,” she said.

Ms Chifungula said during the strategic period from 2003 to 2007, her office implemented a restructuring exercise which included both the decentralisation to provinces and diversification into specialised audits.

Ms Chifungula said as a result of the restructuring, her office has its presence in all the provincial centres.

She said the presence of her office in all provinces is helping audit officers reach activities that are poverty reducing in nature.

Ms Chifungula said the media requires not only proper information regarding regularity in the utilisation of public funds appropriated by Parliament but also the effectiveness, and efficiency of the programmes funded.

She said traditionally, financial or regularity auditing has been concerned about financial controls and accuracy of accounts.

Ms Chifungula said the main objective of financial auditing is to provide an opinion on the fairness of the accounts and financial statements, and also examine compliance with applicable authority, regulation and rules.

She urged the media to take keen interest in the new audits to keep the public informed.

“I appeal to you (journalists) to carry out investigative journalism and not just end at reporting the Auditor General’s annual report and Public Accounts Committee deliberations as is the case now,” Ms Chifungula said.

Labels: ANNA CHIFUNGULA, AUDITOR GENERAL, GOVERNANCE

posted by MrK @ 4:36 PM