Audit Office Raises Concerns Over Handling of Conflict of Interest Case
In a recent development that has stirred the corridors of power, the auditor-general has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of the commissioner of Internal Audit. A special report by the Audit Office points to a possible dereliction of duty on the part of the commissioner, who is accused of inadequately addressing allegations of a conflict of interest within her department.
The controversy centers on a male employee at the Internal Audit Service, who allegedly holds a significant stake in a cyber tech company while his wife is listed as the shareholder. The auditor-general suspects that the wife’s role is a cover, given her profession as a kindergarten teacher and her husband’s expertise in cyber security. This situation becomes more problematic as the employee also serves on a quality assurance board for a public project in the same field, potentially influencing outcomes that could benefit his own interests.
Despite these allegations being brought to light by a law firm representing a competing company, the commissioner’s response has been deemed insufficient by the auditor-general. The commissioner praised the employee’s professionalism and claimed ignorance of his extracurricular activities, even when faced with inquiries from the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.
The functionary did not deny his involvement with his wife’s company but downplayed his role on the quality assurance board as merely advisory. However, this explanation did not satisfy the auditor-general, who believes that disciplinary proceedings should have been initiated against the commissioner for her handling of the case.
While the finance ministry does not concur with the auditor-general’s assessment, the matter remains unresolved. The Audit Office has urged the cabinet to take action, given that it was responsible for appointing the commissioner. As an independent agency established to ensure proper audit systems within the civil service, the Internal Audit Service’s integrity is crucial, and this incident puts its reputation at stake.
With recent developments leading to the barring of the functionary from advisory services by the commissioner, following a directive from the Deputy Minister, it is clear that the issue has significant implications for governance and accountability within public service.
