THE Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have joint force to investigate the much-criticized millions of dollars allocated to respond to the recent pandemic in 2020.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed between the RSIPF and OAG last week paved the way to uncover potential misuse of funds and other corruption practices done by institutions responsible to manage the fund.
OAG has uncovered miss appropriation of the said fund and is calling on the government to strengthen its procurement processes.
According to reports, $90 million was spent by MHMS, NDMO and MID in 2020 as part of disaster relief program.
The institutions used the disaster relief fund on goods, services and logistics in respond to the pandemic.
Report found that MHMS spent $26 million, MID – $14.9 million and NDMO – $49.5 million.
The report alleged that some of the procurement processes bypass the legal process (tender) and that allegation in relation to conflict of interests were found.
It states that the fund was overshadowed by nepotism, wantok business and offering contracts to family members, relatives, friends or associates which led to accumulated prices of goods and services.
The popular, $400 per pillow and $130 per blanket which were found to be procured by individuals to the national referral hospital (NRH), seen in an invoice of $99,500 dated May 25, 2020 in a good example of nepotism surrounding the usage of the fund.
Additionally, it is alleged that documents that would have provided information to prove how the fund was spent were missing.
The MoU between Police and the OAG will formalise a mutual commitment to more effective collaboration in respective roles in the detection, investigation and prosecution of corruption, crime and misconduct.
Auditor General, David Dennis said, the agreement provides a simple framework that both his office and the RSIPF can collaborate in addressing areas that require further investigation.
“As my office mandate is only for auditing public accounts, we rely on other agencies to engage in our public reports to hold relevant stakeholders to account for serious matters including corruption, crime and misconduct,” said Mr Dennis.
“I am grateful that the RSIPF is the first agency that is willing to sign an MoU with my office which will pave the way for stronger future collaboration,” he said.
The MoU formalises a process for the OAG to refer to the RSIPF any matters found in audits and other work which may indicate corruption, crime or misconduct.
The MoU also provides for the OAG to pass on any information at their disposal that may assist RSIPF to lunch investigations.
RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said, RSIPF is happy to be part of the move.
“This MoU will provide a good framework for more effective future collaboration between our two agencies.
This is another milestone for both agencies to sign this MoU for sharing of information.”
Commissioner Mangau said: “With the signing of the MoU, my office also welcomed the first referral from the OAG.
Now my officers will start investigating the case and when satisfied then will bring those matters before the court.”
OAG and RSIPF acknowledge the kind assistance and support of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) through the Vaka Pacific Project (Accountable Public Finances to Serve Pacific People), funded by the European Union, and Transparency Accountability Project (TAP), funded by the Government of Japan and Solomon Islands.
