The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed significant concerns regarding the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs’ failure to comply with accounting principles and procedures for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. During a recent PAC hearing focused on reviewing the audit reports from those years in the General Administration Sector, committee member Ketan Lal noted that internal controls were not effectively implemented.
Lal pointed to specific weaknesses identified by the Office of the Auditor-General in the Ministry’s internal control measures, including unauthorized payment vouchers that were processed and approved. He cited an instance of a purchase order resulting in a payment of $9,300 for a single laptop, which raised alarms about fiscal responsibility.
“This payment voucher was unauthorized and indicates the Ministry is spending $9,300 on laptops,” he remarked, urging the ministry to enhance its financial controls to save on costs. He also highlighted another purchase, an HP PC, that amounted to $9,052, recommending that the Ministry utilize the ITC Department for more cost-effective IT acquisitions moving forward.
In response, Finau Mataiwalu, a representative from the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs, acknowledged the issues raised by Lal but attributed them to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained that most staff were working from home and only a limited number were in the office, which hindered the ability to conduct various checks.
Mataiwalu clarified that the Ministry actually bought three laptops for the total price of $9,300, not one. She emphasized that they follow protocol by working with the ITC to raise purchase orders and obtain quotes. Furthermore, she assured that the Ministry is implementing stronger financial procedures to address these concerns and prevent similar issues in the future.