Minister announces forensic audit into NI Water governance

(by Karma Loveday)

Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins has commissioned a forensic audit into governance systems at Northern Ireland Water. Key areas of focus are expected to be HR, contract procurement visibility and whistleblowing.

In a written statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Kimmins said: “Regrettably, there are a number of issues which are ongoing in NI Water, some of which have been the subject of NI Water investigations and have already resulted in the need for action plans. The scale, volume and severity of these concerns combined with the time it has taken NI Water to conduct the required investigations, alongside other matters of compliance, have led me to conclude that this work is necessary to provide appropriate assurance that NI Water’s systems and processes are robust, effective and fit for purpose.

It is incumbent on me as Minister to satisfy myself that the internal checks and balances of the organisation are functioning as they should. The Department allocates over half a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money to NI Water annually. Therefore, it is crucial that I am assured that there is accountability to the Department, the Assembly, the NI Water Board, wider stakeholders and the public.”

Kimmins has instructed the Civil Service’s Internal Audit team to progress the audit “as quickly, but as thoroughly as possible.” The terms of reference are expected to be published by the end of the month.