Weno, Chuuk State: Chief Executive for the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI), Esther Lameko-Poutoa, visited Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) from 29 January to 2 February 2026 to advocate for the Office of the Chuuk State Public Auditor, coinciding with the 2026 FSM Auditors’ Conference.
Public auditors from FSM’s national and 4 state audit offices convene annually for in-person capability development, knowledge sharing and stakeholder meetings.
PASAI Program Director, Sophia H Pretrick, who is based in Pohnpei State, accompanied Ms Lameko-Poutoa on her mission, arriving before the stakeholder meetings with Chuuk State leaders.
“Chuuk State has been without an officially appointed Public Auditor for nearly 2 years, so it was important for me to advocate with the audit offices at their stakeholder meetings,” Ms Lameko-Poutoa explained.
The Governor’s representatives and leaders from Chuuk State’s House of Representatives and House of Senate attended the meetings.
Of the meetings, Ms Lameko-Poutoa said, “The advocacy was mainly to foster mutual respect, enhance partnerships with the Legislature, lift their understanding of the role of public auditors and the importance of audit independence, support oversight functions and ensure the Chuuk State Office of the Public Auditor receives sufficient support.
“The Legislature is one of the most important stakeholders of public audit offices.
“The advocacy with the leaders highlighted the common challenges facing all audit offices in the FSM.”
National Public Auditor, Haser Hainrick, emphasised the need to enhance partnerships between the audit offices and the legislatures, saying, “They must work together to exercise the oversight function.
“Success for one audit office is success for all,” he added.
Vice President of the Senate, Wisney Nakayama, explained that he supports the Office of the Chuuk State Public Auditor’s development.
Recruitment of the Chuuk State Public Auditor is currently in progress.
Ms Lameko-Poutoa explained functional public financial management systems are underpinned by good working relationships between public auditors and the legislative and executive branches of government.
“When audit offices are sufficiently resourced, can operate independently and are given information they need, their audits and investigations have the best chance to result in positive impacts for the people governments serve,” she said.
The targeted support provided to the staff of the Chuuk audit office included guidance on the next steps in the review of its audit legislation following the meetings, continuous engagement with the Legislature, audit follow-up and internal governance matters.
PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
(From L to R) US Graduate School Trainer, Drummond Khan; Kosrae State Public Auditor, Palikkun Kilafasru; PASAI Chief Executive, Esther Lameko-Poutoa; National Public Auditor, Haser H Hainrick; House of Senate Vice President, Hon Wisney Nakayama, Pohnpei State Public Auditor, Erick Paul; Yap State Public Auditor, Bryan Dabugsiy; Acting Chuuk State Public Auditor, Sarah Mori, Pohnpei Office of the Public Auditor, Sanjay KC; PASAI Program Director, Sophia H Pretrick; Audit Manager for the Office of the National Public Auditor, Midson Tom; Chairman of the Judiciary and Governmental Relations Committee (JGRC), Nelson Stephens; and Vice Chairman of the JGRC, Pius Onopey
With House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Lester Danny Mersai (centre), Floor Leader, Hon Wayne Olap (third from right); and Chairman of Ways & Means, Hon Jessy P William (second from right)
With Acting Governor, Dr Bosco Buligy (centre); and Chief of Staff, Arthur II Irons (far left)
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Contact information:
Sophia H Pretrick, Program Director PASAI
E: sophia.pretrick@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
