The Office of the Auditor General, is seeking legal clarification over the National Hosting Authority’s expenditure and procurement activities for the Pacific Games in 2023. This intention has been conveyed to the Hon Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele at a meeting recently held at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Auditor General, Mr. David Dennis, Deputy Auditor General, Mr. Vincent Misi and contract auditors KPMG Fiji Partners Mr. Anare Manulevu and Mr. Sharvek Naidu, met with the Honorable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Chairman of the National Hosting Authority (NHA) Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers at the Prime Minister’s Office, recently to provide an update on the audits of the Pacific Games.
At the meeting, the Auditor General, KPMG Fiji and the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the audit into the 2023 Pacific Games. Prime Minister Manele welcomed the progress of the audit and the OAG’s intention to seek legal clarification.
“The audit into the games is closely followed by both the public and Parliament Members, thus I welcome the progress made so far and legal clarification being sought, to ensure the audits are completed and finalized,” said Prime Minister Manele.
The Chairman of the National Hosting Authority, and Secretary to the Prime Minister Special Duties, Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers, also welcomed the intention to seek legal clarification.
Meanwhile, the OAG and KPMG Fiji both expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for supporting and welcoming the audit process and initiatives taken. Auditor General Mr. David Dennis emphasized the importance of completing the audits.
“It is critical that the audit reports deliver detailed clear findings and learnings from hosting of significant events such as the Pacific Games. Resolving the applicable legal basis for NHA’s expenditure and procurement activities will ensure both the financial and special audits are finalized and published.”
“We have engaged a Legal Counsel, Mr Gabriel Suri, to represent the Office of the Auditor General, Mr Suri is a former Attorney General, and has previously represented the OAG. The current Attorney General is a Board member of the NHA, thus the need to engage an independent legal counsel to seek legal clarification,” said Auditor General Mr. Dennis.
The OAG is one of the key accountability institutions established under the Solomon Islands
Constitution which requires the Auditor General to audit and report on the public accounts of Solomon Islands, including all Ministries, offices, courts and authorities of the Government, and of the government of Honiara City and of all provincial governments.
KPMG Fiji is contracted to provide to the OAG financial statement audit services for calendar periods 2020 to 2024 together with the special procurement audit.
