In bid to stem financial irregularities… Budget agencies must implement Auditor General recommendations - says Finance Minister

In bid to stem financial irregularities… Budget agencies must implement Auditor General recommendations – says Finance Minister

Jul 18, 2016 News

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan says that plans are in place to ensure that all budget agencies implement recommendations stemming from audits conducted by Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma.

Jordan stressed that there was no follow-up mechanism after the AG’s annual report is issued. He said that it is only when the next cycle of audit commences that recommendations are followed up.

Jordan believes that timely follow-up on the recommendations is an established practice and provides for greater effectiveness of the work of the Office of the Auditor General. He said that it also enhances accountability.

Jordan said that all budget agencies will be required to submit to the Auditor General, on a quarterly basis, via the Ministry of Finance, the status of implementation of recommendations.

He said that the Auditor General’s staff can carry out on-site visits to verify implementation as well. He said, too that the Auditor General’s Office can intensify efforts to conduct performance audits of selected agencies and report the results to the National Assembly.

The Finance Minister stated that at least four such audits will be carried out by December 2016. He said that the Auditor General’s Office should also intensify efforts to bring the audits of public enterprises and statutory bodies up-to-date. Additionally, the economist noted that all audits will be brought up-to-date by December 2016 based on financial statements received.

For years, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma would scrutinize the accounts of various budget agencies and often make recommendations on how they can correct various forms of financial irregularities that he may find.

But the inaction by various ministries, Departments and Regions would push Sharma to even make a recommendation for his advice to be acted on.

In fact, in his latest report, the AG reminded that 318 recommendations were made in his 2013 Audit Report. He said that a review was done on recommendation to determine what action, if any, was taken by the respective Accounting Officers. At the time of reporting, Sharma said that 76 (24%) of the 318 recommendations were implemented, and 77 (24%) partially implemented, while the remaining 165 (52%) were not implemented.

The AG said, “Overall, I am concerned with the lack of action towards the implementation of these recommendations… In addition, in many instances, recommendations are repeated each year without appropriate action and as a result weaknesses and issues which impact negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mechanisms continue to occur…”

Now, with the help of the Finance Ministry, he would no longer have to complain in vain. (KIANA WILBURG).

3 thoughts on “In bid to stem financial irregularities… Budget agencies must implement Auditor General recommendations – says Finance Minister”

rs dasai July 18, 2016 at 9:56 am

Dear Min Of Fin.
Mistakes (not ‘irr’) are made and corrected. Great going.
Surujpaul Rampersaud July 18, 2016 at 10:59 am

Smart move Mr. Jordan. Auditors continue making the same recommendations year after year and nothing is done. Your suggestion will lead to greater efficiency and greater productivity. I am almost sure that these recommendations are not new and that some one in the office would have already aired them only to be thrown in the garbage bin
1. rs dasai July 18, 2016 at 12:53 pm
  
  SR
  Really? Who? Do you really know who acts on these recommendations?