The Sunday Mail
The Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Micheck Sibanda, has commended the Auditor-General’s Office for timeously submitting audit reports to Parliament despite operational challenges affecting many Government arms.At the launch of the Auditor-General’s Five-Year Strategic Plan in Harare last week, Dr Sibanda lauded the bureau for its diligence in ensuring accountability of Government agencies and local authorities.
“Over the two successive years, the office was able to table in Parliament the report of the Auditor-General well before statutory deadline. “This can only be achieved if there is proper organisation of thought processes summed in a plan.”
Dr Sibanda said the new plan should help further improve functions.
“I also want to believe the way you crafted your strategic plan document, the resources that were used, skills, knowledge and expertise demonstrated would be equally applies in the implementation of the same,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said the Auditor-General’s Office was leading by example in showing transparency.
“You have been doing it, you are doing it, but today you have gone beyond reproach by leading by example.
“The office has gone public to show its confidence in the execution of its mandate, thereby being transparent and accountable to its stakeholders,” he said.
Dr Siband said the office was crucial in monitoring public institutions to ensure successful implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
“Government, in its endeavour to improve the livelihoods of its people, came up with an economic blueprint, the Zim-Asset.
“All the facets that make up the blueprint require checks and balances, and it is through this strategic plan that we get the assurance of its monitoring towards success.
“All the facets that make up the blue print require checks and balances, and it is through this strategic plan that we get the assurance of its monitoring.”
Auditor-General Ms Mildred Chiri said her office had expanded its mandate to include monitoring implementation of Zim-Asset.
“I am pleased to present the Audit Office Strategic Plan for 2016 to 2020. The strategic plan was formulated taking into consideration the expanded mandate of the Office which now includes the audit of local authorities, Zim-Asset, that is currently driving public sector business, the needs of stakeholders and my office’s endeavour to provide quality audits that enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector,” she said.
She said the strategic plan would help her office re-tool and meet the needs and expectations of Government.
“This strategic plan helps in the development of a clear-cut concept for the office. “It also enables us to prepare for and deal with the rapidly changing environment in which we find our organisation operating.”
The Audit Office is the country’s supreme audit institution whose task is to examine, audit and report to Parliament on the management of public resources.
