Chief Auditor speaks

“The future outlook should be great if we continue on this path of accountability and good governance” – Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Camillo Afele

The man whose report revealed allegations of “corrupt practises” that had apparently been perpetrated within certain government corporations over a number of years is optimistic.

Controller and Chief Auditor, Fuimaono Camillo Afele, tells the Sunday Samoan the mere fact that his 2009/2010 Report to Parliament has been widely discussed both inside and outside of the House is a step in the right direction.

“We are happy with the improvements being made from Parliament and government since the 2009/2010 report to Parliament,” Chief

Auditor Fuimaono says. “This is a continuous process of good governance and accountability. It does not stop with just one report to parliament.”

Fuimaono’s opinion was sought over concerns persistently highlighted by some Members of Parliament – including government M.Ps - that the government has yet to address the report in question.

When Fuimaono’s report was tabled, it was referred to the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C) for an investigation.

The Committee has since confirmed a number of the allegations of corruption raised by Fuimaono. Chaired by Associate Minister, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, the Committee’s findings were tabled in Parliament at the beginning of the year.

The report from the O.P.C recommended that Parliament take the “appropriate legal actions” against “all those who are involved in this investigation to ensure corrupt practice and that relevant provisions of the law (are followed through).”

About the “corrupt practises” uncovered at the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C), O.P.C recommended:

Firstly, “On the examination of the overall evidence, it is reasonable to state that due to the seriousness of discrepancies and corrupt practices reported in the Chief Auditor’s Report, and that the Committee has confirmed these matters from its findings, Government is therefore recommended that these Committee findings as mentioned in the report be noted, and appropriate legal actions be implemented and applied to all those who are involved in this investigation to ensure corrupt practice and that relevant provisions of the law.”

Secondly, “That Government take seriously, the usage by the Samoa Land Corporation (S.L.C.), or any other Government Ministry or Corporation, of the so called “intermediary company” (Middleman), for any services or the procurement of goods or fixed assets, and to strengthen the adherence to Government procurement policies under the terms and conditions for the purchase of fixed assets, including bids in the tender process.”

Thirdly, “That Government take note seriously of the Tender System using design and build concept, which allows corrupt practice or prejudice, especially in the interpretation and reading of design plans. The Committee believes, that the provision of an actual plan at the beginning of the Tender process, gives the notion that this is the same job that will be done, with all the contractors witnessing, and in that respect, all the contractors will have equal opportunities at the tender that will be made. With this in mind, that will make things easier and the final decision of the Tender will be very transparent.”

The law requires that the government be given 90 days from when the O.P.C report was tabled to respond. That period expired in August with the Speaker of the House, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao granting the government an extension for its response.

Earlier this year, a member of the O.P.C and the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, threatened to go to Court to make sure public servants he claims have “defrauded” taxpayers through “collusion” and acts of “corrupt practises” are held accountable.

“I have the things here signed by the Minister all ready for Court if required,” Papali’i said. “I can safely say that collusion to defraud public funds has been done. So it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.”

According to Papali’i, the O.P.C “didn’t make up these recommendations for nothing. They need to be implemented and (put to) action.”

Asked if it was not enough that a Cabinet Minister has resigned, he said: “Well, if justice is not only seen but being done, it has to go to Court. Millions of tala have been…”

Pressed about going to Court, Papali’i said: “Oh yes, because our Committee will stand firm together. "It’s our report, a joint Committee (report) not just me or the Chairman. This is a report paid for by taxpayers. We spent a lot of time (to put it together).”

“The government pays us a lot of overtime allowances to (do this). This report took us about five to six months to investigate and to prepare. It took us a long time to make sure that we have all the evidence and supporting witnesses that we need to ask questions and confirm all these irregularities raised by the Auditor.”

Parliament is due to reconvene on Tuesday this week where the issue is expected to be raised.

Meantime, Chief Auditor Fuimaono says the aftermath of his initial report in question shows that the checks and balances for democracy are operating in Samoa.

“There are a lot of parties involved,” he says. “Parliament authorises Government to govern. Government accounts for its governance.”

“Audit Office audits and reports to parliament and then Parliament demands accountability and corrective action from Government through its official response.”

“The public/citizens is informed through live broadcasts of parliamentary meetings and other media like (Samoa) Observer picking up reports from parliament and public entities websites for engaging citizens/public in the good governance and accountability process.”

“(So) there has been a lot of improvement.”

Fuimaono also points out that the report to Parliament for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 covered audits going back to 2008 and 2009, which means “you would expect things to start turning around in 2012/2013.”

Besides, since the 2009 and 2010 report, four other reports have been prepared.

“We are now almost 100% up-to-date in our financial statements, audits and reports to Parliament because of the cooperation and assistance from Ministries, Public Bodies, Constitutional and Parliamentary Offices and other Offices of the State,” he says.

“The future outlook should be great if we continue on this path of accountability and good governance.”