This indeed calls for urgent government intervention. However, during the commission’s hearings, one issue that came out - as it has been an old practice for far-too long - is that council finances were treated and diverted to private accounts instead of a public trust.
This even prompted some observers to urge government to move swiftly to strengthen oversight and accountability, to ensure transparency in public finances. This, many believe, would also ensure discipline in financial management.
In addition, we would advise that your government empower the National Audit Office with greater independence and resources to be able to conduct annual scrutiny to ensure thorough compliance when it comes to checks and balances in all councils.
Also, councils should also be required to submit quarterly public financial statements accessible to the Ministry of Finance and the citizenry. There should also be strict measures in place against finance directors, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and mayors who failed to account for council funds.
Mr President, public procurement is a vital component in the effective management of public institutions especially when it comes to delivering goods and services. To ensure transparent procurement and financial discipline, experts stress the need to review and tighten the role of the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) in preventing complicity in irregular contracts. Procurement offers or tenders should be advertised in the local newspapers to ensure transparency and good governance.
A procurement monitoring unit within the Ministry of Local Government could be established to review high-value council contracts before execution. This will help not only to ensure greater accountability, but also to curb abuse, digital and trackable financial management systems. This should be made mandatory to eradicate the old practice of “absolute freedom” in withdrawals from council accounts.
Clarifying roles and responsibilities of officials is very vital in public sector governance. And it is high time councils started separating the oversight functions of mayors and chairpersons from day-to-day financial operations of councils, to ensure accountability without interference.
There should be mandatory training for council finance officers, CEOs and elected officials on the Finance Act, procurement rules and audit standards to help improve governance.
Asset recovery and deterrence forms another key pillar in public sector governance. The government is urged to pursue recovery of mis-applied or misappropriated funds through both civil and criminal actions.
The establishment of a Local Government Accountability Tribunal has also been suggested to speedily handle financial misconduct cases. Publicising recoveries and sanctions is expected to help rebuild public trust in the councils.
Mr President, there is also a growing call for greater reforms in the work and autonomy of local councils to enable them retain powers to raise revenue. This autonomy should be tied to measurable accountability standards. In addition, performance-based grants from the central government should ensure greater benefits for councils, especially those that comply with the rules.
This brings to light the importance of citizen participation in council budgeting and expenditure tracking. This does not only safeguard public finances against misuse, but also ensures greater transparency.
Mr President, embracing modernisation is key in any development issues, especially in this day and age. Thus, there is need for greater modernisation in governance systems to effectively deliver as expected. Experts propose investment in IT-based accounting, payroll and procurement systems to reduce manipulation and human indiscretion. Councils should also maintain digital land records and contracts for greater transparency in property management.
Annual independent audits should be made public to enhance accountability rather than only submitting to government.
As the final report is being prepared, there is growing consensus that it must not gather dust in office shelves, but something that should be implemented to drive meaningful reform. This, analysts argue, will help to restore integrity in local governance, recover misused funds and rebuild the confidence of citizens, who deserve councils that truly serve their needs.
Finally, Mr President, the Auditor General has revealed a series of financial irregularities within the central government of The Gambia’s handling of public funds 2021, 2022 and 2023, with millions of dalasis unaccounted for, which needs explanation to the people who are the taxpayers. All those that will be found wanting should face the full force of the law and be made to return embezzled funds.
Good day!