The Public Accounts Committee has expressed significant concerns regarding the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs’ failure to adhere to established accounting principles and procedures for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.
During the committee’s hearing focused on the review of audit reports for the General Administration Sector, PAC Committee Member Ketan Lal pointed out that the ministry did not consistently follow internal controls. He referred to findings from the Office of the Auditor-General, which indicated that payment vouchers were processed and paid without proper authorization.
Lal noted a noteworthy instance where a purchase order was issued for a single laptop, costing $9,300, which he described as an unauthorized payment. He insisted that the Ministry should enhance its financial controls to save money. Additionally, he brought attention to the purchase of an HP PC for $9,052, urging the Ministry to consult the ITC Department for more cost-effective technology solutions in the future.
In response, Finau Mataiwalu, representing the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs, acknowledged the concerns raised by Lal, attributing some of the issues to the challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mataiwalu explained that during this time, most of their staff were working remotely, which limited the personnel available to carry out essential checks.
Mataiwalu clarified that the ministry had actually purchased three laptops for the total price of $9,300, not just one. He assured that they utilize the ITC department to initiate purchase orders and receive quotes. Furthermore, he emphasized that they are implementing stronger financial procedures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.