Government supports Auditor General’s initiative to strengthen transparency, accountability and public trust in management of Constituency Development Fund
BY NED GAGAHE
Government has formally endorsed the use of Community Participatory Audits (CPA) by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and public trust in the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The CPA initiative was piloted in North Guadalcanal and East Are’are constituencies. The CPA for North Guadalcanal has been completed and its report is expected soon. CPA for East Are’are is also expected to begin soon.
Minister for Rural Development (MRD), Daniel Waneoroa, announced government’s support during the launch of the Community Participatory Audit initiative at Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Mr Waneoroa said the initiative marks a significant step towards improving oversight of the country’s CDF programme, which distributes about $250 million annually to constituencies nationwide.
“Today, we turn a new leaf by formally endorsing the Office of the Auditor General’s use of Community Participatory Audits in the auditing of the Constituency Development Funds,” he said.
He said public perception of the CDF had for years been affected by concerns over unfair distribution and a lack of transparency.
“For too long, public perception of these funds has been marred by stories of unfair distribution and a lack of transparency,” he said.
Waneoroa said the government’s support for the initiative is grounded in its commitment to citizen participation, accountability and the rule of law.
He said under Section 30 of the Constituency Development Funds Act 2023, the CDF is subject to audit by the Auditor General, while the Constitution also mandates the Auditor General to audit all government authorities.
The minister said the CDF Act 2023 introduced stronger accountability measures, including penalties of up to $100,000 in fines or five years imprisonment for Members of Parliament and public officers found guilty of misappropriating CDF funds.
He described the Community Participatory Audit approach as a “game-changer” because it goes beyond traditional auditing methods by involving citizens directly in the verification of projects funded under the programme.
“Traditional auditing often looks only at paper; Community Participatory Audits look at reality through the eyes of our people,” he said.
“Our constituents are the ones who see every day if a water tank was delivered or a clinic was built.”
The initiative will see the OAG work closely with civil society organisations and community members to gather evidence on whether constituency-funded projects have been delivered as intended.
Mr Waneoroa said the approach will ensure that diverse voices, including those from marginalised groups, are represented in the oversight of public resources.
He said the audits will also help constituency offices improve record-keeping, compliance and service delivery.
“This is not about catching people; it is about providing Constituency Officers, Constituency Development Committees, Members of Parliament and community leaders with the feedback they need to improve decision-making and better serve their people,” he said.
The OAG has already launched pilot audits in North Guadalcanal and East Are’are constituencies, with plans to expand the programme nationwide.
Mr Waneoroa said his ministry will explore ways to financially support the OAG to roll out the initiative across all 50 constituencies.
He calls on Members of Parliament, Constituency Development Offices and community leaders to fully cooperate with auditors as the programme expands.
“Let us embrace this opportunity to show that the CDF can be a trusted engine of growth,” he said.
“By opening ourselves to the scrutiny of the people we serve, we prove our commitment to a prosperous, accountable and united Solomon Islands.”
Photo credit: Ned Gagahe
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