Port Vila, Vanuatu: Senior staff from the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) provided in-person support to the Vanuatu National Audit Office last week and met with members of Vanuatu’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
During the weeklong mission from 20 to 24 April, PASAI Program Director, Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba, worked with the office’s executive staff, to enhance the office’s audit quality practices.
PASAI Chief Executive, Esther Lameko-Poutoa, arrived later in the week, working closely with the Auditor-General, Caleb Sandy and his executive staff to support their advocacy for the office’s independence, particularly with the PAC.
Ms Lameko-Poutoa explained they were there to support the audit office pursue financial, organisational and legislative independence so that it can operate effectively and report audit findings without limitation or interference.
“Advocating for independent, well-resourced institutions that can effectively audit public finances and report on public financial management and the public sector’s performance is one of our strategic priorities,” she said.
“We want to ensure the Vanuatu National Audit Office has an appropriate degree of independence guaranteed in the nation’s legislative framework, so it was essential we supported the office to make its case with the PAC.”
The technical training Ms Vosawale-Katuba delivered to staff throughout the week focused on strengthening audit planning, evidence collection and reporting in accordance with international auditing standards.
“I supported staff to complete a quality risk assessment identifying quality risks specific to their context, assessing and prioritising risks to design targeted responses. This helps the office direct its resources to the most important areas and tailor its quality management system to its specific needs,” Ms Vosawale-Katuba said.
“We also discussed improvements to the office’s strategic and HR management, and provided guidance on the office’s audit recommendation follow-up processes.”
The PASAI officers also made courtesy visits to the Australian and New Zealand high commissions to brief staff on PASAI’s regional role and its ongoing capacity development initiatives with the local audit office.
They met with the First Secretary Economics, Australian High Commission, Anngalee Toth; the New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Peter Kemp; and the First Secretary, New Zealand High Commission, Holly Peacock.
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).
Vanuatu Auditor General, Caleb Sandy (far left); PASAI Program Director, Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba (fifth from left): PASAI Chief Executive, Esther Lameko-Poutoa (centre); with the PAC Chairman, Hon Chadrack Gracia (fourth from right); and other PAC members and audit office staff (Image credit: Vanuatu National Audit Office)
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Contact information:
Meresimani Vosawale-Katuba, Program Director PASAI
E: Meresimani.VosawaleKatuba@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275
PDF version of this media release
