Number of monitoring systems are in place – PM’s Office

The Prime Minister’s Office said they have a number of monitoring systems in place after the 2007 Auditor General’s reports to ensure that funds disbursed under the Small Grants Scheme are well spent.

While speaking before the Public Accounts Committee today, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Naipote Katonitabua said while 2007 was an interesting and challenging year, many systems have been put in place.

While explaining about the Chinese government grants administered by the Prime Minister’s Office, Katonitabua clarified that the scheme is handled by a unit in the Prime Minister’s Office called the Development Corporation Facilitation Division.

He said the grants are being used at the Prime Minister’s discretion and the proposed projects also come through the district officers through the Prime Minister.

He noted that these projects may need to be funded quickly and the processes ensure that the funds are well spent.

The Office also receives quarterly updates on the projects by the Strategic Planning Office.

He said this year they have taken monitoring to another level where they have an Annual Procurement Plan in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman, Biman Prasad said he is impressed with the report on the monitoring process and the MOU system put in place by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Deputy Auditor General, Aminiasi Nadakuitavuki also commended the PM’s Office for putting in place measures to monitor the projects.

When asked on some of the expenditure under the scheme in 2007, Katonitabua stressed that none of this was for personal expenses.

In 2007, the Prime Minister’s Office had $8 million in discretionary grants.

Katonitabua said they have had an allocation of $3 million a year from about 2008 however it has increased to $7 million this year.

There are more than $10 million worth of project proposals.

Meanwhile SODELPA MP and Accounts Committee member, Aseri Radrodro raised the question on whether the Small Grants Scheme account is being audited by the Auditor General’s Office.

Prasad highlighted that all the government accounts are audited by the Auditor General’s Office.