Ajay Nand confirms he has finished off his term as Auditor General on Jan 14th 2022 and also withdrew his reapplication on Dec 31st 2021

Former Auditor General, Ajay Nand has today confirmed that his term as the Auditor General has expired and he has also withdrawn his re-application for the position.

Nand confirms that his term ended on 14th January 2022.

He has told fijivillage that he had reapplied for the position on the 24th of December last year but withdrew on 31st December last year due to personal reasons.

We are currently trying to get confirmation if there is an Acting Auditor General.

The Auditor General is appointed by the President on the advice of the Constitutional Offices Commission following consultation with the Minister responsible for finance.

According to the 2013 Constitution, at least once in every year, the Auditor General shall inspect, audit and report to Parliament on the public accounts of the State, the control of public money and public property of the State and all transactions with or concerning the public money or public property of the State.

Fijivillage has contacted the Constitutional Offices Commission on the term of the Auditor General finishing last month and the plans to select and recommend the next person to the position. Meanwhile, on the 31st of December last year, a statement on the Fijian Government Facebook page said a Commission of Inquiry will be conducted into the Office of the Auditor General and the findings are expected to be submitted within three months to the President.

Three people have been appointed by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere as Commissioners to conduct the inquiry.

They are former USP Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson, Chairperson of the FRCS Board Fay Yee and Accountant Lala Sowane.

Thompson has been appointed as the chairperson of the Commission.

The Commissioners are expected to inquire into and report on several things.

These include the conduct, operations and performance of the Office of the Auditor General and the capacity of the Office of the Auditor General to carry out its functions and duties effectively and efficiently under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Audit Act 1969 and any other written law.

It also includes whether the Office of the Auditor General is carrying out its functions and duties and exercising its powers in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Audit Act 1969 and any other written law.

The inquiry will also seek to find out if the Office of the Auditor General is acting within the scope of its constitutional and legislative powers, duties and functions.

They will also try to find out whether the Office of the Auditor General is carrying out its functions and duties in accordance with internationally accepted audit procedures and requirements.

The Commissioners have also been directed to make recommendations to eliminate and prevent any unlawful, improper, ineffective or inefficient practices in the Office of the Auditor General.