ABG and PNG Auditor-General strengthen partnership on good governance and accountability
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Office of the Auditor-General of Papua New Guinea have renewed their commitment to strengthening public financial management, accountability, transparency and good governance in Bougainville.
The commitment was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today in Port Moresby.
ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei said the renewed partnership was an important step in strengthening the systems and institutional capacity required to uphold good governance and responsible management of public resources.
“Today is another significant milestone and a momentous occasion for a renewed commitment to public sector finance, accountability, good governance, transparency and partnership between the Auditor-General’s Office and the Autonomous Bougainville Government,” Mr Nanei said.
He acknowledged the previous MOU between the two institutions, which established an important platform for cooperation and technical support, particularly in strengthening the capacity of the ABG’s internal audit function.
Mr Nanei said the continued support and expertise of the Auditor-General’s Office had contributed significantly to improving the ABG’s governance and public financial management systems.
“The result of our collaboration and partnership has enhanced and has supported and is continuing to support our good governance platforms in Bougainville,” he said.
He highlighted the contribution of internal auditors in providing guidance on due diligence, vetting and public finance accountability measures, noting that these functions were critical in ensuring government decisions and processes remained consistent with established standards of accountability and good governance.
Mr Nanei said the ABG remained committed to supporting its internal audit function and implementing the commitments under the renewed MOU, despite ongoing resource and capacity constraints.
“We are limited with resources. But that doesn't stop us from ensuring that we conform to the best practices of good governance and public sector management,” he said.
The Chief Secretary also emphasised that public funds must be managed in the public interest and that government institutions had a responsibility to remain accountable to the people of Bougainville.
“At the end of the day, we are accountable to the people. The funds that we receive are all public funds, and they should be used for the public interest,” he said.
He said the renewed partnership would also provide an opportunity to further strengthen the ABG’s internal audit capacity and support external oversight of the government’s financial management systems.
The Chief Secretary acknowledged the Auditor-General of Papua New Guinea, Gordon Keka, the Deputy Auditor-General and senior management of the Auditor-General’s Office for their continued support and partnership with the ABG.
He said the ABG remained committed to taking the partnership to the next level by strengthening its internal audit capacity and ensuring that the renewed MOU translated into practical improvements in public financial management and governance across the ABG administration.
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