By JAMES KUNDA –
THE office of the Auditor General has established a specialised audit department to evaluate the performance of Government programmes to enhance transparency and value for money.
Auditor General Anna Chifungula said the specialised audit department performs forensic investigations to trace irregularities that inhibit accountability in the use of public resources.

. Chifungula

Dr Chifungula said this in Lusaka yesterday during the launch of the 2015 performance manual of her Office.
The performance audit manual was developed by the office of the Auditor General in collaboration with its counterpart of Norway and the African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E).
“My office is committed to be part of the development agenda of the country by ensuring that we do not only discharge our mandate but also engage in audit programmes and activities that add the highest value in the processes of overall governance and accountability of public resources,” Dr Chifungula said.
She said the manual, which is based on the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI’S), entailed that performance audit reports issued by her office would be of high quality and an accepted international standard.
“In addition, performance audit reports will help the Executive make informed decisions on the various programmes being implemented by the Government.
“This is important because value for money in the implementation of Government programmes is critical,” Dr Chifungula said.
At the same occasion, Norwegian ambassador to Zambia Arve Ofstad said his Government was happy with the work of the Auditor General’s office of Zambia.
Mr Ofstad said Norway was particularly happy that the institution was consistent with providing reports exposing inefficiencies in the use of public resources.
“Every concerned stakeholder now needs to push for action on these reports so that the culprits cited in the Auditor General’s report are brought to book,” he said.
Mr Ofstad’s sentiments were echoed by Norwegian Auditor General’s office representative, Bjorn Orvim who said the manual was a guide to holding public officers accountable for their actions.
AFROSAI-E senior manager for performance audit Lars Florin said Zambia was a strategic partner of his institution in fostering transparency among public officers operating in Africa.