THE Office of the Auditor General has established a specialised audit department to evaluate the performance of Government programmes to enhance transparency and value for money.
Auditor General Anna Chifungula said the specialised audit department performs forensic investigations to trace irregularities that inhibit accountability in the use of public resources.
Dr Chifungula said this in Lusaka yesterday during the launch of the 2015 performance manual of her Office.
The performance audit manual was developed by the Office of the Auditor General in collaboration with its counterpart of Norway and the African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E).
“My office is committed to be part of the development agenda of the country by ensuring that we do not only discharge our mandate but also engage in audit programmes and activities that add the highest value in the processes of overall governance and accountability of public resources,” Dr Chifungula said.
She said the manual, which is based on the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI’S), entailed that performance audit reports issued by her Office would be of high quality and an accepted international standard.
“In addition, performance audit reports will help the Executive make informed decisions on the various programmes being implemented by the Government.
“This is important because value for money in the implementation of Government programmes is critical,” Dr Chifungula said.
At the same occasion, Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia Arve Ofstad said his Government was happy with the work of the Auditor General’s Office of Zambia.
Mr Ofstad said his country was particularly happy that the institution was consistent with providing reports exposing inefficiencies in the use of public resources.
“Every concerned stakeholder now needs to push for action on these reports so that the culprits cited in the Auditor General’s report are brought to book,” Mr Ofstad said.
Mr Ofstad’s sentiments were echoed by Norwegian Auditor General’s Office representative, Bjorn Orvim who said the manual was a guide to holding public officers accountable for their actions.
AFROSAI-E senior manager for performance audit Lars Florin said Zambia was a strategic partner of his institution in fostering transparency among public officers operating in Africa.
And who audits you? Your officers are known to abuse Govt funds .
This Anna chifungula also! How long is she going to be Auditor-General? From 2003 with Levy, thru Rupiah & Sata & still there with Chagwa! Is it really hardwork only or she has been doing ‘it’ better with all 4? At such a level no matter how qualified & hard working it’s rare to survive over 12 yrs like she has done! You can’t change 4 Presidents & two governments & still have the same Auditor General even in a free world like UK & USA! We have changed Chief Justices, Attorney generals, Dir. Prosecutions, Accountant Generals, Solicitor generals, security Chiefs, ECZ Directors, etc Why not her?
She cud be contributing to this economic malaise due to audit inefficiency. Audit inefficiency cud be what is keeping her in the job cos she is too weak to raise the whip. So every new…
She cud be contributing to this economic malaise due to audit inefficiency. Audit inefficiency cud be what is keeping her in the job cos she is too weak to raise the whip. So every new President finds her easygoing to work with or cud be holding Presidents to ransom by keeping incriminating dossiers on them to safeguard her job. Position is too sensitive for one to hold for decades!
Will this so called specialized audit department trace the $192 million that was deliberately left out? I think its a waste of time to even have the auditor general when the main culprits are at the top and nothing can be done to them. Can they start with the RDA?
This is what is known as spin doctoring! Now, after the Eurobonds have been stolen and hidden away what exactly are these people going to do? Can they recover all this stolen money?
This is just another PF LIE and propaganda! Crying over spilt milk will not fix the corruption by this Government. It is TOO LATE. The thieves have robbed Zambia and have gotten away with it.
Waste of time…sort out the misappropriation and corruption first…how can you even audit if you are toothless?
Give this Unit independence and authority.
Let them bark and bite without intimidating them with sacking, as is usually the practice of African governments.
The Unit should commend government when it is necessary, and strongly criticise it when it neglects responsibility.