ACTING Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a global professional services firm and Norths Projects Ltd, a Brisbane based engineering firm, have signed an agreement to commence a Special Audit into the government’s biggest ticket project, Connect PNG Programme.
The signing took place on Tuesday, February 22, by Acting Chief Secretary Pomaleu, Deloitte, and Norths as a formality to commence work next month.
Mr. Pomaleu said he was pleased to have Deloitte and Norths independently undertake this special audit managed by his office through the department’s Internal Audit Branch.
He said the work will begin in March where the Audit Team will be conducting physical inspections of all Phase One (1) projects throughout eight (8) provinces.
Mr. Pomaleu said the primary aim of the 20-year Connect PNG Programme is to improve road connectivity across the country to support economic growth, social development, and national integration.
He said since the launch of the Connect PNG Programme Project in 2020 and two (2) years later, when work commenced to date, there was no audit done, and so this will be the first since 2022.
Mr. Pomaleu said this audit will focus particularly on ensuring proper use of public funds, assessing project performance, identifying irregularities or unethical practices, improving efficiency, monitoring compliance with laws and policies, enhancing public trust and confidence, and evaluating sustainability and long-term impact.
The Acting Chief Secretary called on provincial governments to collaborate with the Audit Team to ensure a smooth flow of work.
“I call for collaboration from all the respective agencies, provincial governments, project managers, and contractors concerned with the progress of this project for a successful outcome of this special audit work.
“The outcome of this work will not only benefit the government of the day but the people of Papua New Guinea as well,” Mr Pomaleu said.
