3 key areas public agencies need to prioritise

This includes the need for enhanced procurement and contract management.

The FY23/24 Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) report has identified key areas where public agencies need to focus greater attention for improvement. These include the need for enhanced procurement and contract management, more effective grant management, and better revenue and collections practices.

“The government takes the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO)’s observations seriously,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. “The audits by AGO are crucial for maintaining public trust, accountability and transparency in the management of public monies.”

“Where lapses have been identified, agency heads will review each case thoroughly to get to the root cause, and implement measures to address the issues promptly,” it added.

In response, the government is committed to addressing these concerns by better leveraging technology and refining existing policies.

To address procurement and contract management issues, MOF has updated the Government’s procurement policies to guide agencies in proactively getting tenderers to submit more comprehensive contract rates prior to tender award, and applying a risk-based approach to cost evaluations, particularly for complex construction projects.

The Building & Infrastructure Centre of Excellence (B&I CentEx) will continue to support these efforts, while new training programs will be introduced for public officers and consultants.

For grant management, MOF’s 2020 grants governance framework remains central to guiding agencies through the grant process. This framework is supported by an e-learning program to better equip public officers with the necessary skills.

In revenue and collections management, MOF has issued new guidelines on managing arrears, and agencies will also be increasing checks to ensure accurate billing and revenue collection.⁠

Moreover, the government is also focusing on workforce development, with over 6,500 officers trained annually. Internal Audit units will carry out regular assessments and provide feedback.

The Accountant-General’s Department has also launched an Audit and Governance Enterprise Management (AGEM) system, with plans for full implementation across agencies.

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