Minister of Local Government, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has stressed the need for frequent audits of councils to continuously improve their performance across the country.
Chimwendo Banda, who is the Leader of the House in Parliament, made the remarks in the August House in Lilongwe after the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Mark Botomani, presented an audit report on the performance of local councils for the year ending 31 March 2022.
He said under the Chakwera Administration, most councils are striving to present their audited accounts, unlike in the past. He said the government will ensure that all councils abide by set guidelines.
Among the report findings, there are several irregularities in expenditure management across various councils, many of which failed to submit financial management reports.
The councils also encountered procurement challenges, with goods and services being acquired without proper authorisation, leading to the procurement of substandard items.
The report calls for the restoration of public trust through consistent accountability, ensuring that every Kwacha is spent appropriately. It also recommends the establishment of internal audit committees in all councils nationwide.
In response to the report, Nedi Poya, Legislator for Zomba Ntonya, underscored the need to strengthen councils’ capacity to manage finances in order to prevent project delays and cases of corruption.
First Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo chaired the proceedings in the chamber.
