Inquiry to be conducted into the Office of the Auditor-General

A Commission of Inquiry will be conducted into the Office of the Auditor-General and the findings are expected to be submitted within three months to the President.

Three people have been appointed by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere as Commissioners to conduct the inquiry.

They are former USP Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson, Chairperson of the FRCS Board Fay Yee and Accountant Lala Sowane.

Thompson has been appointed as the chairperson of the Commission.

A statement on the Fijian Government Facebook page says the Commissioners are expected to inquire into and report on several things.

These include the conduct, operations and performance of the Office of the Auditor-General and the capacity of the Office of the Auditor-General 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 also includes whether the Office of the Auditor-General is 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.

The inquiry will also seek to find out if the Office of the Auditor-General is acting within the scope of its constitutional and legislative powers, duties and functions.

They will also try to find out whether the Office of the Auditor-General is carrying out its functions and duties in accordance with internationally accepted audit procedures and requirements.

The Commissioners have also been directed to make recommendations to eliminate and prevent any unlawful, improper, ineffective or inefficient practices in the Office of the Auditor-General.

We have sent questions to the Office of the President and the Office of the Auditor General.