Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542534
THE National Audit Office enjoys widespread trust across the politi- cal divide and among ordinary cit- izens and this is not a coincidence, according to Charles Deguara. Nearing the end of his second five-year term, the auditor general says the NAO is guided by three values: Independence, objectivity and professionalism. "Once our work is based on these values, our compass, people appreciate and trust what we do," Deguara tells me when I meet him at the NAO's headquarters in Flo- riana. "I've worked under three prime ministers and there were mo- ments when government did not agree with us but we always en- joyed wide-ranging trust," he says, adding that the NAO's findings and conclusions are based on ev- idence. The NAO carries out regular annual audits of government en- tities but it is most known for its investigations that are more con- troversial in nature. Indeed, its three-volume investigation of the Vitals-Steward hospitals deal was crucial in the civil court case insti- tuted by Adrian Delia to have the contract annulled. It was a case that brought satis- faction to the NAO but Deguara insists the office's main aim is not to point fingers but to encourage the public service and government entities to improve standards by addressing shortcomings identi- fied during an audit. "After all, its public funds that are at stake," he tells me. Charles Deguara: 'NAO's credibility comes from being objective, independent and professional' Charles Deguara's second five-year term as auditor general comes to an end in March when parliament must choose by two-thirds majority his successor. Kurt Sansone catches up with him to discuss the National Audit Office's credibility, AI and accountability 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JANUARY 2026 INTERVIEW