Deputy Prime Francis Sade says the Government acknowledge Guadalcanal Province’s call for provincial audits across the country to be brought up to date and delivered annually.
Sade was speaking today at Guadalcanal Province’s 42nd Second Appointed Day celebrations in Honiara.
Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu, in his official address at the event, urged the national government to ensure provincial audits are completed annually, saying transparency and accountability were critical for good governance.
Sade, who is also the MP for Northwest Guadalcanal, agreed.
“The premier’s call aligns fully with the GREAT Coalition Government’s commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability,” Sade said.
“The Government will continue to work closely with the Office of the Auditor-General to address the audit backlog,” he added.
“Accountability delayed is trust delayed and trust, as consistently emphasised, remains the most essential and hardest infrastructure to build and sustain.”
Sade, who was Guadalcanal’s last premier, also paid tribute to premiers past and present, the executive, and the staff of Guadalcanal Province on achieving a Qualified Audit Opinion for the 2022–23 fiscal year.
“These milestones are the result of years of disciplined effort to strengthen financial management, improve transparency, and uphold compliance,” he said.
The deputy prime minister said whilst some challenges remain, the province’s financial statements are now largely reliable.
“Public confidence has been strengthened and a solid foundation has been established toward achieving the ultimate goal of an unqualified, clean audit opinion.”
At today’s event, Premier Atu used the anniversary theme, “Empowering Guadalcanal for National Unity and Prosperity,” to call for stronger decentralisation of powers, fairer resource sharing and improved provincial capacity.
Atu said true empowerment of provinces required the transfer of administrative functions and legislative authority closer to communities.
“Provincial governments are better positioned to deliver responsibilities and promote national unity and prosperity going forward,” he said.
