Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Tarawallie
25 November 2011
President Ernest Bai Koroma yesterday sworn-in Ms Lara Taylor-Pearce as the new Auditor General of Audit Service Sierra Leone, ASSL.
In his short statement at State House, the president congratulated Ms Taylor-Pearce, and noted that an efficient and capable auditor general will help to enhance transparency and accountability in the country.
He said the Auditor General’s office had been transformed as it used to be dormant in the past.
“The Auditor General’s office should be the watch dog of Sierra Leone’s economy as it should be able to cut down on wastage. Your appointment is challenging to womanhood in the country and we do expect the very best from you,” he said.
Ms Taylor- Pearce thanked the President for the honour bestowed on her to head the Audit Service, adding, “It is a great achievement after acting as Auditor General for 8 months and being in the institution for four years.”
She maintained that to head the Audit Service was a mammoth task, but with the financial and moral support from the government, she will definitely succeed.
In her message to staff of the Audit Service, Ms Taylor-Pearce noted that they have a big part to play in achieving their mandate of ensuring that taxpayers’ monies were used judiciously. “I craved the cooperation of all staff so that ASSL will become a beacon of light in the accountability chain of Sierra Leone. I appreciate the support I receive from staff during my tenure as acting Auditor General. There is need for cordial and cooperative working relationship with every member of staff,” she said.
Ms Taylor-Pearce has been acting as Auditor General before her appointment by the president and approval by Parliament on Tuesday November 22.
Ms Taylor Pearce was appointed by President after the previous Auditor General, Ms Anna Caesar retired from the ASSL at the end of her terminal leave in May 2011.
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