By Thoboloko Nts’onyane
MASERU – Auditor-General (AG) ‘Mathabo Makenete had last week had an audience with the delegation from the Supreme Audit Institutions and Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC).
The delegation that has commented on her appointment.
The office of the AG had said in a statement.
“In an effort to enhance the working relations between Supreme Audit Institutions and Public Accounts Committees, the Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Auditor-General (AG), Ms. ‘Mathabo Gail Makenete on 13th February, 2023 in Maseru, ahead of SADCOPAC Peer Review programme training scheduled for 15th February,2023,” reads a statement from the Auditor-General’s office.
The Auditor- General expressed her appreciation for the work and the effort and work done by SADCOPAC as it places premium on the matters of accountability.
“The peer review would capacitate the stakeholders greatly in ensuring that the resources allocated are used for the planned purposes and add value to the lives of the people”, said the Auditor-General.
Makenete also told the delegation that transition efforts to get the independence of her office were underway.
Meanwhile, the acting chairperson of SADCOPAC, Keorapetse-Ditlhapelo Lefoko congratulated the AG on her recent appointment into the office saying it is important to ensure fair distribution of resources to the relevant beneficiaries.
He highlighted that with the peer review training they would learn from each other and build capacity to improve their duties.
Lefoko further reiterated that the aim of the training programme is to empower and strengthen the capacity of Lesotho members of Parliament particularly the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to effectively discharge their oversight duty over the public sector finances as well as promoting good governance.
According to the AG’s office, the foundation of the relationship between SAIs and parliaments are the audit reports that SAIs send to the parliament for oversight purposes through PAC scrutiny during public hearings.
The AG plays a crucial role in the economy of the country as her report is interrogated by the potential investors before they decide to invest in the country. The move that has an impact on the economy.
Lesotho as other members is experiencing the decline in Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue. This was largely due to the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government is on an offensive charm to attract investors to invest in the textile industries.