The Auditor General’s recent report has highlighted shortcomings in the Ministry of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation’s management of its social protection program, revealing that the Ministry failed to maintain a comprehensive list of recipients for the financial support program in 2023. The report, which was presented to Parliament, criticized the Ministry for not having essential data on individual beneficiaries, such as names, application dates, approval status, residential addresses, tax identification numbers (TIN), and banking details.
As of July 31, 2023, the Ministry disbursed a total of $137.3 million to 153,939 recipients under this program. The Auditor General warned that the absence of detailed records poses a significant risk of duplicate and unauthorized payments, urging the Ministry to adopt a detailed system for tracking beneficiaries to safeguard public funds.
In response to the audit’s findings, the Ministry explained that while it does maintain an updated list for payment purposes in a simplified format, it is in the process of digitizing records to collect all necessary information comprehensively. This digitization initiative aims to improve data management and track recipients more effectively.
These concerns echo previous findings from past audits, including issues within the Ministry of Health regarding unauthorized salary payments due to inadequate record-keeping practices. Such systemic deficiencies have triggered calls for government reforms to bolster financial accountability and oversight across public institutions.
However, these challenges also spotlight opportunities for improvement. The Ministry’s commitment to enhancing its systems and adopting digital solutions is a positive step towards transparency and efficiency in managing public funds. By addressing these issues proactively, there is potential to reinforce public trust and improve the welfare of citizens who rely on these essential programs.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of robust record-keeping and internal controls in the management of public services. The intended reforms highlight a hopeful commitment to better governance, ultimately aiming to secure a brighter future for vulnerable populations in Fiji.
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