An audit into the Department of Trade has commenced which will focus on the department’s operational and functional areas over the next six to eight weeks.
The audit which is being conducted by S.S Consultancy Services follows recent allegations which were raised against the Director of Trade Karia Christopher and will focus on six key areas in its investigations.
This includes the reliability and integrity of financial and operational information; compliance with laws, regulations and contracts; human resources management; trade licence processes and procedures; financial management, and file management.
As it pertains to the human resources management, this is to ensure that the overall recruitment, placement and management of the Department of Trade staff are in accordance with general orders and human rights laws.
In accessing the trade license processes and procedures, the audit’s aim is to ensure that the processes of review, recommendation, approval, amendments, and categorization are in accordance with the Business Profession and Trade Licence Act. CAP 200.
In this area, the audit will also seek to ensure that decisions made pertaining to licences are fair and equitable and to ensure that licence categories are structured in a way for maximum economic benefit to the department.
As it relates to assessing file management, the audit will seek to ensure that the handling and management of files relating to trade licences and the trade database are in accordance with the Records Management Act and related policies.
This object is to also ensure that all records management and procedures are free from fraud and tampering.
The audit team will be led by former Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Wendell Gaskin.