A forensic audit of the former administration's major projects will be done by just one accounting firm, says the Minister of Finance.

Lautimuia Uelese Va'ai told the Samoa Observer on Monday that the budgetary allocation for the forensic audit was approved in the current budget and the government is hoping that it will be completed within the current fiscal year.

He said that there would only be one firm hired to undertake the audit and confirmed that two overseas companies expressed interest and they are working on finalising the cost before the project gets going. 

The forensic audit didn't mean that the government had doubts about the audit work already done in previous years on the major projects, which the Minister said will go under the microscope again under this latest government-funded initiative. 

"But there is a long list of projects that needs to be re-audited and we understand it might take some time to complete the task," said Lautimuia. "It might take them more than a year to complete this work. 

"However, we will try to work something out where they can submit reports once they finish each project on the list. In that way, it will be easier for them."

Lautimuia also said the internal audit division within the Ministry of Finance will assist the firm in implementing the project. 

"They will be collecting data and information needed for the audits. In fact, the preliminary work has been done already and all the files are ready for the forensic audits. 

"However, should the firm need additional information or research on the various projects on the list, then our internal audit team will be on standby to prepare it for them."

The outcomes of the forensic audit, according to Lautimuia would be interesting, not only to clear any doubts or questions in relation to the projects on the list. But also highlight some of the areas that need to be improved within the government moving forward or highlight some systems or processes that need to be reviewed or improved. 

Multiple Cabinet Ministers had previously said the government would engage two accounting firms to examine the financial records of some of the major projects implemented by the former administration. A Cabinet directive based on a meeting convened on 18 May 2022 noted the approval of SAT$500,000 to fund the audit work to be done in two phases. 

However, in the 2023/2024 Budget that was passed by the Legislative Assembly last month, SAT$1 million was approved for the forensic audit. The Chairman of the Finance and Expenditure Parliamentary Committee, Faleomavaega Titimaea Tafua explained in Parliament that the Tenders Board was not satisfied engaging one firm to carry out the forensic audit, according to a report given to the Finance Parliamentary Committee from the responsible government entities and the Tenders Board.  

The Minister of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai who is one of the co-chairs of the Tenders Board clarified that the SAT$1 million allocated in the 2023/2024 Budget for the forensic audit is for two firms the government hopes to engage. Another Cabinet Minister, Leatinu'u Wayne So'oialo also confirmed the plan during an interview with an overseas-based media outlet in June this year.