Three International Companies Interested in Samoa’s Forensic Audit Investigation

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 21 JUNE 2023: The Minister for Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o has confirmed that three international companies have shown interest in Samoa’s Forensic Audit investigation.

The Forensic Audit investigation has been endorsed by Cabinet and $1 million tala is allocated in the 2023/2024 Budget with $500,000 tala for this purpose in the current budget.

The Minister confirmed all the companies are from overseas and the forensic audit investigation will begin after everything is finalized.

Projects listed to be investigated in Phase 1 include:

• The Ti’avea Airport Project
• $50 Stimulus for National ID
• Sheraton Hotel & Bungalows Apia Beach Road
• Lease on the Samoa Airways Aircraft
• Newly built prison at Tanumalala & Savaii
• SNPF new headquarters at Salelologa, Savaii
• New Electoral Office Mulinu’u
• Samoa National Broadband Highway & School-net Project
• Underground Cabinet Network Arrangement (MCIT)
• Satitoa Port/wharf
• Nafanua Patrol Boat incident
• Tax Invoice Monitoring System (TIMS)
• Purchasing of the Ministry of Works computers
• Purchase of two vehicles from Scholastic Books for MESC
• Instalment of electricity to Falelatai & Samatau in 2019-2020 & usage of EPC funds for election campaign
• Accountability for funds used by the former Prime Minister, Cabinet & the late Chief Justice under the Civil List Act
• Unforeseen & Unauthorized funds under the Act
• Tenders Boards

Issues to be investigated under Phase 2 include:

• Measles Epidemic and & how funds were utilized
• COVID-19 justification on how funds and assets were used
• Review on all Government bodies financial status
• Terms of Reference on employment conduct

Cabinet has endorsed the Ministry of Finance to lead the project under the guidance of the Minister and to work closely with other organisations such as the Samoa Law Society and the Samoa Institute of Accountants.