A significant backlog in auditing the Provincial Councils has been noted by the iTaukei Affairs Board during a submission to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Sereana Matakibau, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Board, explained that a dedicated task force is currently addressing the backlog to ensure the timely submission of financial statements.
Matakibau stated that the task force is operating from the head office and will handle the financial statement submissions until the backlog is resolved. Once this issue is tackled, key performance indicators (KPIs) related to financial reporting will be returned to the Provincial Councils. She expressed optimism about the progress, indicating that they are nearing the completion of resolving the backlog.
In previous years, from 2019 to 2022, the draft financial statements for seven Provincial Councils were submitted to the Auditor General’s Office. Acting Assistant Auditor General Dineshwar Prasad confirmed receipt of these statements, although some were initially recalled for revisions. So far, six out of the seven reports have been processed, with opinions issued on two provincial councils.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve accountability, as highlighted in recent discussions around the auditing of financial reports. The Auditor-General has previously expressed satisfaction with the overall progress made in the financial reporting of Provincial Councils. Plans are underway to finalize outstanding accounts for the years 2019 to 2022 within the current financial year, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs will play a crucial supervisory role in this effort.
There is a hopeful outlook as the completion of the backlog not only aims to enhance financial accountability but also supports better governance within the Provincial Councils. Engaging in these practices ensures financial transparency and builds public trust in local governance structures.
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