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Sharma confirmed as Auditor General after seven-year wait
– AFC slams “suspicious” confirmation
More than seven years after continuously performing the functions of the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma was yesterday confirmed to that key post by government during a surprise swearing-in ceremony.
Sharma’s confirmation was later described by Opposition party, Alliance For Change, as “suspicious”.
Confirmed: Auditor General, Deodat Sharma
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Sharma asserted that he is qualified for the job and that his work is of quality.
The Office of Auditor General is a critical, independent one responsible for the auditing government ministries, agencies and regional accounts.
Media personnel who arrived yesterday for the weekly post-Cabinet briefing at the Office of the President were at that time informed of the swearing-in ceremony. It comes amidst criticism from former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran and accountant/columnist Christopher Ram, of the quality of work from the Audit Office.
The opposition has long called on government to address the issue, as Sharma’s credibility and independence were being called into question with the failure to confirm him.
According to President Donald Ramotar, Sharma has proven that he could function without fear and favour.
The Head of State expressed the hope that the Audit Office would continue on its path of oversight with the public accounts continuing to improve and get better.
Sharma expressed gratitude to his staffers who over the past three years helped to deliver the Audit General reports on time. “I am happy that government has had the confidence in the Audit Office and as some Ministers say, they use the Auditor General’s Report as a management tool, and that is the way forward we should go.”
Questioned yesterday about the seven-year wait for his confirmation, the new Auditor General could not immediately say, but indicated that his appointment had to be made by the President and on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission.
Regarding his qualifications for the job which had been questioned, Sharma said that there is nothing in the laws and Audit Act that talk about specification of qualifications for the Auditor General. He did disclose that he has a degree and diploma in accounting and has completed several courses.
“…so I have the qualifications and other supporting courses I have done. I am the only one, also, who has produced a Value For Money audit….two of them.”
Over the weekend, both the former Auditor General and Ram criticized the Auditor General’s Report of 2011, which was released last week to Parliamentarians and the media.
According to Goolsarran, a quality and comprehensive audit report should not be compromised in order for that report to be delivered within its stipulated deadline.
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
He said, among other things, that the Auditor General defaulted on his promise to examine the laws to see whether NICIL, a state company which manages public assets, breached the laws.
Responding to the comments of Ram and Goolsarran, the Auditor General was clear. “I don’t like to engage in too much criticisms. I think the works speak for itself…I don’t get into argument over those.”
He then directed a comment to Goolsarran. “Maybe you can check his 2003 (Auditor General) report. There is hardly any physical inspection compared to mine.”
Yesterday, AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, during his party’s weekly press briefing, said that appointment was highly suspicious.
“We in the Alliance For Change feel that this ought not to be the procedure for getting the Auditor General, Mr. Sharma, approved and sworn in.”
According to Ramjattan, the appointment could effectively allow Sharma, 54, to serve another 11 years or so before retiring and the suspicious circumstances, especially in light of the significance of the work of the Audit Office, do not bode well.
Sharma’s family and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, were among those at the Office of President yesterday for the swearing-in ceremony.
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