Amendments to the FSM Pohnpei Code strengthen SAI Pohnpei independence

The FSM Pohnpei Legislature passed amendments to the Pohnpei Code on 3 September 2021, significantly enhancing the independence of SAI FSM Pohnpei. This development strengthens the ability of the Office of the Public Auditor to effectively deliver on the SAI’s mandate to promote accountability, transparency and good governance of public resources, adding value to the citizens of Pohnpei State.

Signed by the Governor of Pohnpei and Speaker of the Pohnpei Legislature, the amendment ensures, “the Auditor shall be independent of administrative and political control, direction and influence. Neither the Auditor nor any employee of the Auditor acting under the Auditor’s authority shall be subject to personal, civil or criminal liability for any act or omission in carrying out his or her duties in good faith”.

The proposed amendments were re-submitted during the 10th Pohnpei Legislature for consideration, following an initial submission in the 9th Pohnpei Legislature meeting. We provided FSM Pohnpei (and other FSM states) technical assistance for legal reform in October 2019.