Inspection Of Certain CFSM Road Projects in Kitti, Pohnpei State - Report No. 2022-05 - September 26, 2022

Sep 16, 2026

Federal oversight report on the inspection of CFSM road projects in Kitti, Pohnpei State (Salapwuk & Mwoakot) under Public Laws 20-141 and 21-53. The report reviews the $150,000,000 appropriation and explains the basis for the inspection, including concerns about funding releases prior to completion. Findings identify ineffective controls for fund-release certifications, non-compliance with key construction contract terms, and gaps in procurement evaluation and contractor selection processes at the Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Abbreviations

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1. Reason for the Assignment

1.2. Background

1.3. Process for Administering Public Projects funded by the CFSM (referred to as CFSM Projects)

1.4. Expenditure Reports

2.0 OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, METHODOLOGY

3.0 AUDIT MANDATE

4.0 PRIOR AUDIT COVERAGE

5.0 COMMENDATION

6.0 CONCLUSION

7.0 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1. Finding 1: Insufficient and Misleading Certification of Project Status by the Inspection Officials for the Mwoakot Road Project

7.2. Finding 2: Breach of Certain Provisions of the Construction Contracts Were Not Addressed Including Uncollected Liquidated Damage of $66,802

7.3. Finding 3: Lack of Segregation of Duties in the Processes of Procurement and Independent Inspections of the Road Projects

7.4. Finding 4: Lack of Compliance to the Provisions of the FMR for the Procurement Process for Sealed Bids

8.0 APPNEDIX

9.0 MANAGEMENT RESPONSE

9.1. Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure’s Response

9.2. Department of Finance and Administration’s Response

10.0 ONPA EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSE

11.0 NATIONAL PUBLIC AUDITOR’S COMMENTS

12.0 ONPA CONTACT AND STAFF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA STRONGER INTERNAL CONTROLS NEEDED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION & INFRASTRUCTURE TO PREVENT LOSS OF FUNDS ON DELAYED & INCOMPLETE PUBLIC PROJECTS Inspection Of Certain CFSM Road Projects in Kitti, Pohnpei State under Public Laws 20-141 and 21-53 Report No. 2022-05 September 26, 2022 His Excellency President David W. Panuelo Honorable Members of the 22nd Congress Secretary, Department of TC&I Secretary, Department of Finance and Administration Federated States of Micronesia RE: INSPECTION OF CFSM KITTI ROAD PROJECTS (SALAPWUK & MWOAKOT) UNDER PUBLIC LAW 20-141 AND PUBLIC LAW 21-53 We have completed our inspection of the CFSM Kitti Road Projects (Salapwuk & Mwoakot) under Public Laws 20-141 and 21-53. The overall appropriation for both projects was $150,000.000 . This inspection was conducted based ona request by the Mayor of Kitti Municipal Government (KMG) Pohnpei State, due to concerns of the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication, & Infrastructure (DTC&I) and the FSM Department of Finance and Administration (DoFA) releasing funding to the Contractor when both projects were not completed. We concluded the following based on our inspection findings: • There were ineffective and insufficient controls in relation to inspection reports or certifications used for the release of funds to contractors; • There was non-compliance to the key terms and conditions of the construction contract agreement; and • There were existing gaps in the process of evaluating bids and selecting the contractor at the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure (DTC&I) . Overall, we identified a great need for improvement at the DTC&I whose officials are key players in the administration of public projects appropriated by the FSM Congress. There are also capacity needs to ensure adequate officials are available to handle the increasing projects and they are performing their work for the best interest of the Government and the people. We have referred some of the issues to our Compliance Investigation Division (CID) for further review and evaluation. Sincerely, Haser H. Hainrick National Public Auditor Table of Contents Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1. Reason for the Assignment .............................................................................................. 2 1.2. Background ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Process for Administering Public Projects funded by the CFSM (referred to as CFSM Projects): .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.4. Expenditure Reports......................................................................................................... 3 2.0 OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, METHODOLOGY........................................................................................ 4 3.0 AUDIT MANDATE................................................................................................................................ 4 4.0 PRIOR AUDIT COVERAGE ................................................................................................................ 5 5.0 COMMENDATION................................................................................................................................ 5 6.0 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 7.0 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................

FAQs

What prompted the inspection of the CFSM Kitti road projects?

The inspection followed a request from the Mayor of Kitti Municipal Government due to concerns that the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure and the FSM Department of Finance and Administration were releasing funding to the contractor when the projects were not completed.

What were the main findings from the inspection?

The report found ineffective and insufficient controls over inspection reports/certifications used to release funds, non-compliance with key construction contract terms, and gaps in evaluating bids and selecting the contractor.

Which projects and legal authorities were covered in the report?

The report covered CFSM Kitti Road Projects (Salapwuk & Mwoakot) and referenced Public Laws 20-141 and 21-53.

Sep 16, 2026

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