Be patient for the release of Auditor General’s Reports - AG

The Attorney General has called on political parties and individuals to be patient until next month for the release of the Auditor General’s Reports.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum reacted strongly to concerns raised by the National Federation Party about the Financial and Appropriation Statements of Government posted recently on the Finance Ministry website.

He said people should understand that for the first time in Fiji’s history there is an Accountability and Transparency Commission and Independent Commission of Corruption put into the Constitution.

NFP General Secretary, Kamal Iyer said only some of the Financial Statements reports were published on the Finance Ministry website and this was done with no announcements.

Iyer claimed that this proves a lack of accountability and transparency in the management of the finances of the state.

Iyer said after viewing the financial statement, the audit is restricted to the financial and appropriation statements only and do not contain reports that are a comprehensive audit of all government ministries and statutory organizations.

The NFP is asking for the release of all audit reports from 2007 to 2013.

In his qualification statement of financial and appropriation statements for the year 2012, the then Auditor General Tevita Bolanavanua raised 14 concerns regarding the statements.

Some of these concerns are investment in the Sinking Fund totaling $192.2 million is overstated by a massive $138.5 million.

The Auditor General said he is only expressing his opinion on the value of $53.7 million which is supported by independent confirmations.

The correctness, completeness and existence of the equity opening balance of over $2.8 billion could not be substantiated due to lack of supporting documents.

It also said that a variance of $10 million exists between Ministry of Finance general ledger balances and the FRCA revenue collection report for the year 2012.

He added in his opinion except for the effects on the Whole of Government Financial Statement of the matters referred to in the qualification paragraph, the accounts have been kept faithfully and properly, the transaction with or concerning public money or public property of the State have been authorized by or pursuant to the Services Decrees or any other written law and expenditure has been applied for the purpose for which it was authorized.

NFP General Secretary Kamal Iyer said the people of Fiji would like to see all the Auditor General’s reports for the sake of transparency and accountability.