Audit Office assessing performance of Fire Service, water and energy sectors

Several performance audits are currently ongoing for the Guyana Fire Service, and the water and energy sectors, according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma.

Two of the audits are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“The performance audits we are looking at four audits presently, two we expect to finish at the end of this year, and two next year.

“We are looking at fire and the smoke that [affects] when you have fire, that is with the Fire Service. We are also looking at one on water to ensure everybody is getting water supply and there is another one on energy so there are improvements,” Sharma revealed on Wednesday at the handing over of key reports to the Speaker of National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

With the handing over of a performance audit on Wednesday – A Review of Asset Management at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) – the total number of completed and submitted performance audits has now reached 18.

To enhance the effectiveness and relevance of these reports, the Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF) hosted several training sessions focused on strengthening Public Accounts Committee (PAC) practices, report writing, and questioning techniques.

Over the past seven years, CAAF has played a pivotal role in the learning and development of the Performance Audit Unit. However, this partnership concluded in March 2025. As part of this engagement, 21 officers received training in the use of data analytics for conducting audits, as well as in applying artificial intelligence to increase the impact and quality of audit reports.

Sharma also highlighted that the Audit Office has been facilitating training programmes at the Ministry of Public Service, covering areas such as the role and functions of the Auditor General, stores regulations, procurement act, bank reconciliation, financial statements, and processing of payment vouchers.

This, he said, is to improve the efficiency of the public service.