The multi-million dollar Gas-to-Energy project and the controversial Belle Vue Pump Station Project are among projects cited in the Auditor General’s Report for 2025.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma made the disclosure today as he presented the 2025 report to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.
He also handed over a Performance Audit Report on the Implementation of the Solar Home Energy Programme.
The Auditor General, while disclosing that the Gas-to-Energy Project and the Belle Vue Pump Station Project have been cited in the report, declined to weigh in on the specifics. He said the report must first be laid in the National Assembly by the Speaker.
He noted, however, that the volume of infrastructure projects in Guyana has increased significantly in terms of value and complexity when compared to 2021 when the National Budget was $383.1 billion.
Alluding to the fact that the 2026 Budget is $1.558 trillion, he said the techniques and methodologies used to design, implement and manage infrastructure projects in the country have also evolved.
He said the audit office has been strengthening its ability to respond to the developments.
“Investment in training ensures that the Audit Office remains resilient, adaptive, and capable of delivering independent oversight that supports good governance. As such, strengthening the institutional capacity of the Audit Office requires continuous training and professional development. By equipping our auditors with up-to-date knowledge of international standards, modern auditing technique and emerging areas, such as, digital auditing, performance auditing, and risk-based approaches, the Office can enhance both the quality and credibility of its work,” the Auditor General said.
According to the Auditor General, the structured training programmes and partnerships with regional and international audit institutions have helped to build technical expertise and foster a culture of innovation.
“Our Engineers of the Works and Structures Division has advanced their knowledge and improved their skills by completing the Project Management Professional (PMP) Training Programme. This training provides the Engineers with the skills set required to critically examine more complex project development and delivery models being utilized by the Government in rolling out billion-dollar infrastructure projects,” the Auditor General said.
He assured that the Audit Engineers are now better equipped to assess quantities, costs, schedules, and contractor performance, in addition to the examination of time and resource allocation measures to evaluate project performance.
Commending the Auditor General and his team for the timely submission of the report, the Speaker said 2026 marks 25 years since the Constitution was amended to allow for the tabling of the Auditor General Report by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
He explained that in the past, the report was made public at the behest of the Finance Minister.
“At that time, the Auditor General presented his report to the Minister of Finance, to the Minister of Finance. And if the Minister choose to table it that was his call only, not the Constitution of Guyana demanding that it be tabled before the 30th September…The other significant change to Article 223 was the provision that the Auditor General would not be subject to any person or institution, no person or institution, and the Public Accounts Committee would exercise some general oversight,” the Speaker explained.
Nadir said the change in the Constitution allows for greater transparency and accountability.
The report was also welcomed by the Chairman and other members of the Public Accounts Committee.
The 2025 Report is Sharma’s 22nd report as Auditor General.
The report has been submitted ahead of the September 30 deadline.
Source: News Source Guyana
