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Second phase of audit office`s strengthening project takes off
2008-03-15 09:25:08
By Lydia Shekighenda
Sweden has underscored the importance of strengthening the National Audit Office as the country struggles to fight mismanagement of funds, unethical practices and corruption.
Speaking yesterday in Dar es Salaam at the launch of the second phase of the office`s development project, Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom said the office had a vital function to Tanzania`s democracy.
Sweden is among sponsors of the project and has offered to provide 3.9bn/-.
He said the National Audit Office was vital for development partners because they wanted to see their taxpayers` money provided through the general budget support well spent to fight poverty in the country.
``From a broader perspective you are vital for us all because we development partners want to see Tanzanian taxpayers` money well spent as well and we want transparency and domestic accountability to grow,`` Herrstrom added.
He further said Tanzanians had the right to information on how their money allocated for their children, education and water supply was spent, as well as to see efficient domestic institutions working on their behalf.
``A democracy needs a system of checks and balances and the National Audit Office is a key institution in that system,`` he said.
Finance and Planning deputy minister Jeremiah Sumari said proper conduct of public business must include effective systems of control and accountability, responsible attitudes and an appropriate culture on the part of those handling public funds and resources.
``These attributes are usually verified through an audit process conducted by credible institutions such as the National Audit Office,`` Sumari said.
He said the audit office has the responsibility of auditing not only government institutions but also quasi-government institutions and reporting on the audit to the specified authority.
Controller and Auditor General Ludovick Utoah said the main objective of the phase one project was to enhance public accountability and financial discipline throughout all public institutions.
He added that the project also meant to enhance accountability and transparency in public revenue and expenditure so as to achieve social and economic development.
Utoah said the second phase project, which will cost 7.7bn/=, would focus on the enhancement of the National Audit Office`s financial independence and review of quality assurance of audit.
The project, which will take three and a half years, will be funded by the Swedish National Audit Office (3.9bn/), Swedish International Development Agency (2.7bn/-) and the government of Tanzania (1.1bn/-).
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