By Sulayman Waan
The President of the Gambia His Excellency Adam Barrow, Tuesday inaugurated the D82, 000,862.00 (eight-two millions, eight hundred and sixty two dalasi) new National Audit building located along Bertil Harding Highway, Kanifing,
The new state of the art building of the National Audit facilities include 7 open offices, 20 single offices, 3 executive offices, 1 record office, a library, a gym room, a conference room among others facilities.
The building constructed by the Swami India International Limited (SIIL) took a period of over18 months to complete.
President Barrow expressed delight on the accomplishment of the new building through the realization of effective and efficiency of the institution. He said it is important that officials of the institution work in a comfortable environment to perform their function to expectation.
“As we reform our institutions, we must transform their (institutions) physical structure and appearance. Evidence suggests that productivity at work is influence by such factors as the quality of the personnel,” he said.
He added: “We know the policies needed to be formulated so as to enhance staff motivations and outputs. The attitude and commitment of individual in public institutions contributes to determine how tax payers benefit from the service delivered by the public institutions.”
The new building, he said would enable staff to function amicably as it was built to create conducive and adequate space for the staff to ensure they execute their duties professionally.
“The National Audit Office has a crucial role to play in the institutional reform program. It is a catalyst for nation building because this office is entrusted for the responsibilities of auditing all government institutions, authorities and other public bodies,” he noted.
According to him, National Audit Office has special role in enhancing proper financial management and governance for the realization of the national development plan goals.
“This is a fundamental feature in any democratic system in order to promote accountability and good governance. It serves to protect and maintain the integrity of government and the public sector,” he said.
Karamba Touray, Auditor General of National Audit Office, described accounting public funds and asset properly as essential for the development of any country, saying his institution is responsible to provide assurance on the financial status on public organization and report timely.
He said the new building would enable his staff to fulfill their mandate to expectation in ensuring that public officers entrusted with public funds are held accountable to ensure proper accountability and transparency.
Managing Director for Swami India International Limited (SIIL), Khimji V. Pindoria, said his company constructed the house in modern standard. He gave NAO a period of one year free maintenance.
