Inquiry into OAG operations

PRESIDENT Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has appointed a three-member Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG).

A statement from the Government said the team, former University of the South Pacific pro-chancellor Winston Thompson, the chairperson of the board of Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) Fay Yee and the director and co-owner of Tewaka, formerly known as Pacific Destinations Fiji, Lala Sowane, were expected to inquire into and report on the conduct, operations and performance of the OAG, the capacity of the OAG to carry out its functions and duties effectively and efficiently under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Audit Act 1969 and any other written law.

It said the commissioners were also expected to inquire whether the Office of the Auditor-General was carrying out its functions and duties, and exercising its powers in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Audit Act 1969 and any other written law, and acting within the scope of its constitutional and legislative powers, duties and functions.

In addition, the inquiry will also investigate whether the Office of the AuditorGeneral was carrying out its functions and duties in accordance with internationally accepted audit procedures and requirements and any associated matters considered to be relevant to the general objects of the inquiry.

The commissioners are required to make recommendations “to eliminate and prevent any unlawful, improper, ineffective or inefficient practices” in the Office of the Auditor-General for the effective and efficient delivery of the functions and duties of the Office of the Auditor-General under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Audit Act 1969 and any other written law and for the adoption by the Office of the AuditorGeneral of internationally accepted audit procedures and requirements, and any other standard and transparent operating procedures.

The Government also said the commission had been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to Ratu Wiliame within three months of the date of appointment or, “upon the commission’s request, such a longer period as the President of the Republic of Fiji may direct”.

Mr Thompson is the chairman of the commission.