GAC, Tanzania’s audit offices sign MOU

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the General Auditing Commission of Liberia or GAC and the National Audit Office of the United Republic of Tanzania or NAOT.

The MOU was signed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on March 31, 2015 during an official visit by a GAC delegation headed by Auditor General Yusador S. Gaye on March 22 at the invitation of of the Comptroller and Auditor General of the Republic of Tanzania, Professor MussaJuma Assad, in a spirit of collaboration as members of the African Organization of Supreme Auditing Institutions in English- Speaking Countries.

A statement issued by the GAC in Monrovia said the MOU is aimed at promoting cooperation between the two Supreme Audit Institutions to develop, strengthen and facilitate their institutional capacities to conduct their various national audit mandates in line with the standards and procedures of the International Organization of Supreme Auditing Institutions (INTOSAI), the African Organization of Supreme Auditing Institutions in English- Speaking Countries (AFROSAI-E) and their respective regulatory frameworks. 

According to the GAC’s statement, the general objective of the cooperation is for both SAIs to contribute to good governance and an efficient public administration in Tanzania and Liberia, while, on the other hand, collaborating in experience-sharing that will contribute to the institutional development of the two SAIs as a way of enhancing transparency, accountability and good governance in the management of public funds in both countries. 

The collaboration will be characterized by a holistic approach to solidifying audit capacity in the public sector, as well as strengthening the proficiency of basic audit methodology in general, and the development of well-functioning support services which are the pre-requisites for high quality audits. 

The Agreement will build on capacity needs and priorities as defined by the GAC and NAOT, and will also aim at drawing on Tanzania’s extensive experience in the management of public resources, including the NAOT’s specific knowledge of public sector audits. The collaboration may include support for training, material development, professional dialogue and secondment to ongoing audits.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on March 31, 2015, Auditor General Gaye extolled the Controller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office of the United Republic of Tanzania (NAOT), Professor Assad and staff for the invitation and warm welcome extended to her and delegation to visit NAOT, noting that the visit of her delegation provided the opportunity to learn from the successes of her Tanzanian counterpart. 

She underscored the need for African SAIs to assist each other to become proficient in their audit roles and the delivery of their audit mandates, while applauding Tanzania’s achievements as a true Supreme Audit Institution in Africa. 

The GAC statement quoted the Liberian Auditor General as expressing gratitude to the Controller and Auditor General and staff of NAOT for the warm friendship, cooperation and support given her delegation during the visit.

Speaking earlier, the Controller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office of the United Republic Tanzania (NAOT), Professor MussaJuma Assad reaffirmed the cooperation and support of the NAOT in assisting the GAC in the realization of its professionalization, as well as achieving the goal of becoming a high standard Supreme Auditing Institution (SAI).