by Georgina Maka’a
Delays by the National Hosting Authority (NHA) to provide requested documentation of its spending to auditors are slowing down the auditing of the 2023 Pacific Games spending.
NHA is the body the Solomon Islands Government tasked to take charge of the two-week games, which brought in thousands of athletes from across the Pacific to Honiara.
It’s estimated the Government, with support from the donor community, spent around $2.5 billion to host the games in December 2023.
Auditor General David Dennis said to date, documentation to support the validity of actions and transactions for certain major procurements had not yet been provided and remains a concern.
Dennis highlighted this when he and KPMG partners Steve Nutley and Anare Manulevu updated Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on the status of the audits this week.
He said the financial statement audits cover the calendar periods 2019 through to 2024 and the special procurement audit examines the procurement practices of NHA.
The Auditor General explained that during their audience with Manele, they provided an overview of progress to date and likely timelines for delivery of audit reports.
He said the audits are expected to be reported in the first quarter 2025 subject to timely receipt of required documentation.
“Challenges in NHA providing requested documentation continues to delay the timely completion of these audits.
“To date proper documentation to support the validity of actions and transactions for certain major procurements had not yet been provided and remains a concern.
“Updates to the likely completion dates for the remaining financial audits covering calendar periods 2022-2024 will be shared at a later date,” Dennis said.
Prior to and during the Games, allegations and claims of excessive spending and awarding of contracts to friends and cronies have been widespread.
Of note was the $6.4 million contract awarded to a local barbershop to supply toilet papers for the games.
Exposure of the deal and widespread public criticisms led to the dismissal of the contract.
The Auditor General’s Office contracted international audit firm KPMG to undertake both audits – financial statement audit services for calendar periods 2020 to 2024 together with the special procurement audit.
