In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the Governor-General said the probe should cover the management of funds, irregular payments made to a contract for house construction and the general procurement process.
In the same letter Sir Michael said the Government House needed a major overhaul and funds, specifically the K800,000 (US$367,800) allocated for maintenance had been depleted.
But official Secretary Tipo Vuatha says the entire State House was alright and it was only the main office that needed renovation. The K3 million (US$1.4 million) allocated previously had lapsed and they were waiting for the next lot of funds from the 2012 Budget.
Government Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc was not available, however, his office confirmed receipt of that letter.
“It appears that improper and-or irregular payments have been made in respect to a contract for house construction, general items of procurement and an ongoing fuel scam are matters that disturb me greatly and need to be rectified in order to maintain the reputation of this office,” Sir Michael wrote.
“It would appear that the best way to clear these matters up is to have an independent review conducted of the management of the office of Governor-General funds and that this review would necessary require legal input.
Furthermore, I would also appreciate a manpower audit to be conducted,” Sir Michael added.
The Governor-General, in his letter to the Chief Secretary in September, also included three Terms of References for the investigation team, if one was set up by the Government.
He said the probe team would examine the management of funds within the Governor-General’s office during the time of the current and preceding administrators, to establish whether funds had been applied in accordance with the Public Finance (Management) Act and review allocations, expenditure details and accounting records and examine contract documentations for significant contracts entered into the office to ensure PFMA compliance, examine any cases where expenditure occurred without necessary contracts being concluded.
The Terms of Reference also stressed that if funds had been mismanaged or misapplied, provide documentary evidence and recommendations to justify charges under the Criminal Code and liaise with the public prosecutor’s office as necessary in this respect and provide a written report to the Secretary Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council.
The letter should also go to Chief Secretary of Government, outlining findings and providing recommendations for necessary action.
