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An audit by the Solomon Islands Office of the Auditor General into national Climate Change Adaptation efforts by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDMM) highlights the need for urgent and effective planning and response to adaptation efforts, to protect vulnerable communities from sea level rise and coastal erosion.
The audit exercise, which took more than 18 months to deliver, is part of a global cooperative audit initiative known as the Climate Change Adaptation Actions (CCAA) audit undertaken by more than 50 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from around the world including Solomon Islands, among 8 other pacific Island countries.
The initiative examines respective governments’ actions on adapting to climate change and is coordinated by 2 organisations within the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI): the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) and the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA) with audit support from the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI).
Pacific Island countries selected one of three audit topics; managing water resources, implementing climate change adaptation plans and adaptation to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Solomon Islands carried out the audit on the topic of taking action to adapt to the impact of sea level rise and coastal erosion. The audit, focussed on MECCDMM’s Solomon Island Climate Change Adaptation Program, (SICAP) activities from 2018 to 2023.
Findings from all 9 Pacific Island countries are also published in a consolidated report issued this month titled ‘Adapting to Climate Change: Building the Pacific’s Future.’
The regional report identified that Pacific Island governments need to act now to:
- secure available financing and expertise
- better plan and target measures where needed
- more effectively implement measures through more coordinated and inclusive action
- ensure accountability through monitoring and reporting of intended outcomes.
For Solomon Islands, while adaptation activities have not been effective, notable achievements included the update of the Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy 2023 and improvements to water catchments greenery schools and communication facilities for isolated communities. Recommendations also highlighted that combined effort was needed in community vulnerability assessments, meeting requirements to secure both local and international funding and resettlement, to name a few.
In Honiara, a team from the Auditor General’s Office, led by the Auditor General Mr David Dennis last week, briefed the MECCDMM Minister the Hon Polycarp Paea on Solomon Islands’ audit findings including overall findings from the Pacific.
Auditor-General, David Dennis reiterated the importance of Government to invest further in adaptation to climate change in the face of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
“The effects of climate change are real and literally at our doorsteps. We need to take proactive measures that gives priority to areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion. Solomon Islands needs more urgent, planned and sustained action to protect communities vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.
“We are proud to contribute to this report which contains urgent lessons and solutions, highlighting areas of improvement and recommendations to safeguard our homes, communities, infrastructures and future generations.
‘I hope the collection of real examples, common themes and recommendations in the report provides a path forward for government agencies, donors and communities to take urgent and effective climate action,” said the Auditor General.
In response, the MECCDMM Minister and his executive acknowledged the report, which they described as timely and will improve national adaptation efforts. They also assured that recommendations will be taken on board and will be incorporated into the Ministry’s strategic plan moving forward.
The National Report can be accessed at www.oag.gov.sb while links to all 9 Pacific Supreme Audit Institutions can be accessed at the following web address pasai.org/regional-reports.
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The Office of the Auditor General, is seeking legal clarification over the National Hosting Authority’s expenditure and procurement activities for the Pacific Games in 2023. This intention has been conveyed to the Hon Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele at a meeting recently held at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Auditor General, Mr. David Dennis, Deputy Auditor General, Mr. Vincent Misi and contract auditors KPMG Fiji Partners Mr. Anare Manulevu and Mr. Sharvek Naidu, met with the Honorable Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Chairman of the National Hosting Authority (NHA) Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers at the Prime Minister’s Office, recently to provide an update on the audits of the Pacific Games.
At the meeting, the Auditor General, KPMG Fiji and the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the audit into the 2023 Pacific Games. Prime Minister Manele welcomed the progress of the audit and the OAG’s intention to seek legal clarification.
“The audit into the games is closely followed by both the public and Parliament Members, thus I welcome the progress made so far and legal clarification being
sought, to ensure the audits are completed and finalized,” said Prime Minister Manele.
The Chairman of the National Hosting Authority, and Secretary to the Prime Minister Special Duties, Sir Dr Jimmie Rodgers, also welcomed the intention to seek legal clarification.
Meanwhile, the OAG and KPMG Fiji both expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for supporting and welcoming the audit process and initiatives taken. Auditor General Mr. David Dennis emphasized the importance of completing the audits.
“It is critical that the audit reports deliver detailed clear findings and learnings from hosting of significant events such as the Pacific Games. Resolving the applicable legal basis for NHA’s expenditure and procurement activities will ensure both the financial and special audits are finalized and published.”
“We have engaged a Legal Counsel, Mr Gabriel Suri, to represent the Office of the Auditor General, Mr Suri is a former Attorney General, and has previously represented the OAG. The current Attorney General is a Board member of the NHA, thus the need to engage an independent legal counsel to seek legal clarification,” said Auditor General Mr. Dennis.
The OAG is one of the key accountability institutions established under the Solomon Islands Constitution which requires the Auditor General to audit and report on the public accounts of Solomon Islands, including all Ministries, offices, courts and authorities of the Government, and of the government of Honiara City and of all provincial governments.
KPMG Fiji is contracted to provide to the OAG financial statement audit services for calendar periods 2020 to 2024 together with the special procurement audit.