–expresses satisfaction with implementation of recommendations in previous reports

AUDITOR-General Deodat Sharma on Monday presented the Report of the Auditor General for the Year 2023 to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, in keeping with the statutory deadline.

The 2023 report on the public accounts of Guyana and on the accounts of ministries, departments and regions were presented in the Parliament Chambers at the Public Buildings, on Brickdam, along with two performance audits.

Sharma expressed pleasure at being able to present his 20th report as Auditor-General, and indicated that it marks the 13th consecutive occasion that the Audit Office has been submitting its reports by the statutory deadline of September 30 following the close of the fiscal year.

He said, “Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that this is the fourth time we are issuing a report before the 30th September; the last three reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022 were issued on the 20th, 19th and 15th September, respectively.”

While noting that he would not be able to divulge specific details on the contents of the report, as it first has to be presented to the National Assembly before it becomes a public document, Sharma told members of the media that recommendations made in previous reports are being addressed.

He noted that he believes that all agencies have been taking note of these recommendations.

“Those recommendations I made in the Auditor-General’s reports are being addressed, and I think [in] every ministry they are being addressed. I am satisfied with that,” he said.

Noting that this presentation is one of significance, and one that should not be taken lightly, Minister of Public Works and Member of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, Bishop Juan Edghill indicated that the presentation of the reports are an important aspect of good governance, transparency and accountability.

The production of this report and further scrutinising of it at the level of the Public Accounts Committee keeps everyone in line, as a time will come when officers will have to account for their actions, and it also answers the rumour mill in relation to calls of corruption.

“The persons to tell us if the public monies have been properly spent or accounted for is the Auditor-General and his staff, and that report brings it to public notice. So, the process does not end with the handing over today,” Minister Edghill highlighted.

Additionally, the minister indicated that the media has an important role to play in scrutinising these reports and highlighting where there have been improvements and where weaknesses exist.

Joining Minister Edghill in highlighting the process, Speaker Nadir indicated that the process starts with the allocation of monies in the budget, the execution of those programmes, the bookkeeping and accounting done by the accounting general and staff, followed by the opinion by the Auditor-General.

“The examination of that opinion by the Public Accounts Committee, recommendations by the Public Accounts committee and the issuing of the necessary memorandum by the minister of finance, so this is, as Minister Edghill said, a process,” he said.

Subsequently, Nadir indicated that the Report of the Auditor General on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the Accounts of Ministries/Departments/Regions for 2023 along with the performance audit reviewing the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme and the performance audit on the Management of the Maternal healthcare services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation will be presented in the National Assembly at the earliest opportunity.