Monrovia – The Normal Auditing Fee (GAC) has begun the method of the much-publicized system audit on the Home of Representatives with the holding of an entry assembly with the Home Management and the Public Account Committee (PAC) of that august physique.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The method is according to the totally statutory mandate as offered below Part 2.1.3(c) and (d) of the GAC Act. (Part 2.1.3(c) as an example states that: “(c) the Auditor Normal shall have the suitable to find out which audits are to be carried out, to pick the kind of audit, when to hold them out and report the findings.
Additionally, below Part 2.1.3(d) provides: “Within the efficiency of his/her operational duties, the AG shall not be topic to the route or management of any individual or authority”.
Setting the Tempo For Complete Audit
The pronouncement to conduct a system audit fairly than a complete has triggered severe public mixed-reactions with scores of Liberians insisting for the latter; nevertheless, Auditor Normal Garsuah P. Jackson stated the method is a pacesetter of guaranteeing that transparency and accountability prevail over the train of public fund on the Legislature, notably the Home of Representatives.
In accordance with him, the system audit is the inaugural audit of the Home of Representatives and is according to the mandate of the AG and the GAC to audit all public funds.
He stated the system is important presently as a result of it should allow the GAC to conduct the preliminary danger evaluation since it’s the first time ever that the Home is being audited.
“Now, we’re going to carry out a system audit. Why? As a result of that is the primary time an audit is being carried out on the Legislature. And our preliminary danger evaluation {and professional} responsibility is that the related monetary instrument that we must be assessing to carry out a full-scale compliance audit or monetary assertion audit will not be out there,” AG Jackson defined.
In different phrases, he factors out that the present train is meant to carry out a complete evaluation of the governance of economic administration system of the Legislature.
Predicated upon this, he stated the Fee might establish these dangers and make sensible suggestions to make sure that a full scale system is put in place.
“Proper after this audit, now we have a division on the GAC known as the follow-up on the implementation of audits that experiences on to the workplace of the Auditor Normal. The aim of that division is to supply technical capability help to all of our auditees to assist them in expediting the implementations of the audit suggestions. That unit goes to be working with the related stakeholders right here on the Legislature to make sure that they totally perceive the entire suggestions that can come out of the system audit.”
Strengthening PFM
Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, whereas welcoming the GAC crew headed by AG Jackson on the Home, described the method as milestone in strengthening public monetary administration and reinforcing accountability.
“This train marks the primary time in post-war Liberia, and arguably the primary time in our nation’s legislative historical past, that the Legislature is present process a system audit or assessment. For a few years, such an intervention was spoken of, debated, and hoped for, however it’s only now, below this management that it’s changing into a actuality. For this, honorable colleagues, we’re grateful in your help and your dedication to transparency.”
He says the system audit, which is step one towards a full-fledged monetary audit of the Legislature, will assist establish gaps, advocate reforms, and set the stage for a extra complete assessment of our monetary operations.
To additional institutionalize accountability, Speaker Koon discloses that the Legislature is within the course of of building an Inside Audit Secretariat and organising an automatic monetary administration system.
These efforts, he intoned, are geared towards guaranteeing full compliance with relevant public monetary legal guidelines, together with the Public Monetary Administration (PFM) Legislation and the Public Procurement and Concessions Fee (PPCC) Legislation.
“We need to reassure the general public that below the management of Speaker Koon, the Home of Representatives is dedicated to openness, transparency, and accountability. This course of displays our willingness to topic ourselves to the identical requirements that we anticipate of each public establishment,” he added.
