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The following is issued on behalf of the Audit Commission about its clarification on media reports about delays in publication of Report No. 45 of the Director of Audit Chapter 3-Development of a site at Sai Wan Ho:
The Audit Commission was established under Article 58 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It functions independently and is accountable to the Chief Executive. According to the provisions of the Audit Ordinance (Chapter 122 ) and the Value for Money Audit Guidelines, the Director of Audit has wide powers to maintain his independence. In deciding whether to carry out an audit investigation, the Director of Audit is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
Regarding the Sai Wan Ho case, the Audit Commission had noted some media reports in June 2002 on the issue. Since then Audit closely monitored the progress of the case. In order to carry out the investigation, Audit needs to ascertain the approval of the project's final building plans and the progress of the development. Audit commenced preliminary investigations in November 2004 and started the full investigation in April 2005.
There is no question of delaying publication of the audit report on the development of the site at Sai Wan Ho.
Ends/Saturday, November 19, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:05
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