Audit Office commemorates long service

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 26 October 2020, 1:00PM

The Samoa Audit Office [S.A.O] commemorated Public Service Day by acknowledging its longest serving staff members. 

Held earlier this month, the ceremony was led with a brief thanksgiving service by Assistant Controller and Auditor General, Jaslyn Mariner-Leota. 

The S.A.O. also unveiled its 'pioneers wall' and 'wall of honours'. 

According to a press statement issued by the Office, staff members were acknowledged for years of service to the Government.

Karamellie Tuala started with the S.A.O. in 1977 to clock 43 years serving the Government.

The second-longest public servant in the S.A.O. is none other than the Controller and Auditor General, Fuimaono Camillo Afele himself. He joined the S.A.O. in 1996. 

“He took over from Tamaseu Leni Warren in 2010 as Controller and Auditor General," the statement read.

"Fuimaono completed the Institutional Strengthening Program (I.S.P.) under his leadership as well as many reforms and is a member of the governing board of the International Congress of Supreme Audit Institutions.” 

Third in line is Faamatuainu Dennis Magraff who entered the S.A.O. in 1998, while Taililinomaiamoa Violet Roebeck-Fasavalu started in 1999. 

The service since 2002 of Assistant Controller & Auditor General Mariner - Leota, Sau Fua Matoa and Li’o Vinona Feagaima’ali’i was also acknowledged. 

The statement says that part of the ceremony was a presentation on the history of the Audit Office since its establishment. The first audit conducted in Samoa was in 1915.

“It was noted from the presentation that there were very few staff members and limited resources in the beginning," the statement read.

“The Office also faced many challenges and obstacles [and] have since accomplished many achievements with [its] Institutional Strengthening Programme.

“This year marks Fuimaono’s ten year of service as the head of Supreme Audit Institutions of Samoa. 

“The Office has grown to a number of 48 staff members, [has established…] other audit streams like Performance Audit, [the] I.T. Audit, Compliance Audit, and Special Audit Division in addition to our traditional Financial Audit engagements.”

The unveiling of two walls for the office was also part of the program.

“These walls are meant to provide inspiration and motivation for current and future staff of S.A.O.," the statement said.

“The Pioneers' Wall has a statue of the Divine Mercy. It will later show a history of past and current leaders of S.AO. 

“The Wall of Honour comprises of those who have completed their Masters programs, namely Fuimaono Camillo Afele –Master of Public Policy and Management - Monash University – 2007;  Norris Mitchell – Master of Commerce – Charles Sturt University – 2019; Petelo Leota – Master of Networking and System Administration, CSU – 2019; Roseanne Faaiu – Master of Business Administration, CSU – 2020; Annie Leitupo – Master of Auditing – Nanjing University – 2018; Malili Chou Lee – Master of Auditing – Nanjing University – 2019; Frances Iosefa – Master of Auditing – Nanjing University – 2019; Afulilo Leao Tuitama – Master of Auditing – Nanjing University – 2020; Faamaile Latu – Master of Auditing – Nanjing University – 2020 and Grace Mulitalo-Mitchell - Masters in Professional Accounting – 2020.” 

Also highlighted were the 14 staff members still remaining at the office since 2010. 

“The backlog [of more than] 10 years' [backlog has been overcome].

“All government audits have been updated and reported to Parliament [and there] have been many changes in the structure of the office."

By Joyetter Feagaimaali'i 26 October 2020, 1:00PM
Samoa Observer

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