Prime Minister Perry Christie challenged auditors to ensure government is accountable for public funds – as pending major developments for the Family Islands are expected to boost the economy.
He made the call as he officially opened the Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution (CAROSAI) Congress, on Monday at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. It was held under the theme, 'Towards greater accountability'.
Around 36 auditors general from the region, representatives from the United Kingdom and the United States met to discuss operations of the Public Accounts, Committee and the auditor general's role in the efficient management of public funds, amongst other things.
Prime Minister Christie noted that the major challenge for the Bahamas is that there is no real economy on the Family Islands. He called on auditors to be part of that development.
Terrance Bastian, auditor general of the Bahamas, said that the country was honoured to have received the confidence of CAROSAI to host the congress.
"As auditor general, I believe that steward of public funds and resources should be held to the highest standards of accountability. I am sure that my colleagues feel the same way," he said.
"As auditors general, we are dedicated to serving the needs of the citizens and providing assurance of accountability while enhancing good governance," Mr Bastian added. "Increasingly, the populace in various countries is demanding that their elected parliamentarians give the best possible value of the use of public funds. In addition, and rightly so, they are demanding more from us as auditors general."
At the end of the congress, he said, it is hoped that auditors be enlightened and in a better position to deliver better service to parliamentarians, the public and audit entities.
"We want to be able to enhance our skills by using the latest audit techniques that are available to us in the 21st century," Mr Bastian said.
"We want to be able to adequately and appropriately deal with current issues challenging the Public Service at this time, issues that challenge the public sector, issues that challenge us as public auditors."
Source: The Tribune
