The government has received the 2023–2024 audit report from the Office of the Auditor General, which includes findings on the $1 million District Development Project, Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo has confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference, Toelupe stated that the Ministry responsible for the Audit Office has completed the report and that the auditing process is ongoing as part of the government’s normal accountability procedures.

He said the Minister overseeing the Audit Office has already explained that the report has been submitted to the ministry for review. “As the Minister responsible has stated, the 2023–2024 report has been submitted to the ministry,” Toelupe said. “Like in past years, the process continues, and even reports from 2017–2018 are still in progress.”

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that it is not unusual for some audit reports to take time before being finalised and tabled before parliament. He said this has been a recurring situation over the last 20 years, with a number of reports still being processed.

“If we look at the records over the past two decades, there are reports that have not yet reached parliament,” he said. “However, the spirit of this process is that there is nothing to hide from parliament or from the people.”

Toelupe stressed that government funds are public resources that must be managed transparently and that the government welcomes scrutiny of its financial dealings. “It is important that the people understand that the government values transparency and accountability, especially where public money is involved,” he said.

He explained that the only formal connection between the government and the district councils under the $1 million District Development Project is the financial agreement that governs the release of funds to each district. “That is the only link between the government and the councils, the financial agreement that was signed when the funds were distributed,” he said.

Toelupe did not specify when the Auditor General’s report will be tabled or reviewed in parliament, but confirmed that the Audit Office has completed its work and submitted the findings to the responsible ministry.

“The funds belong to the people, and it is only right that the process remains open and transparent,” he said.