Financial Accountability Crisis: Will the iTaukei Affairs Board Finally Deliver?

The iTaukei Affairs Board is facing significant scrutiny due to its failure to submit financial reports for the last 16 years, a concern raised by Esrom Immanuel, the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. Immanuel expressed frustration during a recent committee meeting, urging the finance team to explain the lack of accountability since 2007, emphasizing that timely financial reporting is a key performance indicator for staff in financial roles.

Sereana Matakibau, the Deputy CEO for Corporate Services at the board, informed the committee that the last audit was conducted in 1997. She explained that the board had allocated its audit resources to provincial councils, delaying the financial accountability of the iTaukei Affairs Board itself. Matakibau asserted that most performance targets had been tied to provincial councils, thus prioritizing their audits. However, the committee has mandated the board to finalize all outstanding financial reports before the end of the year.

This situation is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate a backlog in auditing that has persisted for years. Similar discussions have highlighted the challenges faced by provincial councils regarding inadequate training and qualifications of financial staff, which has resulted in poorly prepared financial reports, ultimately diminishing transparency and accountability.

Previous articles have reported on initiatives that the iTaukei Affairs Board has undertaken to improve financial accountability, including the establishment of task forces and training programs aimed at enhancing the capabilities of financial personnel in provincial governments. These initiatives, coupled with recent calls for reform, indicate a hopeful trajectory towards resolving long-standing issues in financial management within local governance.

The commitment shown by government bodies to enhance financial accountability and governance suggests that there is a path forward. By addressing the backlog and improving the qualifications of finance personnel, the iTaukei Affairs Board and affiliated councils can bolster public trust and ensure better management of community resources.