The lower chamber of Parliament on Tuesday voted to examine a proposed draft law that will grant the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) more autonomy in its operations.

The endorsement came after Finance Minister, John Rwangombwa, managed to convince the House that the proposed legislation was essential.

He told the House that the bill would give the OAG "a meaningful degree of autonomy in the process of recruiting, promoting and disciplining its own staff, and indeed in its entire operations; including human resource development and management of its own budgetary process.”

The bill gives the AG powers to carry out random value-for-money audits, special audits and investigations considered necessary and even engaging private auditors.

"The Bill will also empower the Auditor General with the right to access all relevant documents and information and to obtain whatever explanations deemed necessary for the proper discharge of his or her duties,” said the minister.

According to Rwangombwa, this is aimed at ensuring that the AG’s reports are accurate, thorough, fair and objective.

The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro, who was present during the debate, told The New Times that the new legislation is in conformity with the constitution which prescribes his institution’s autonomy.

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