The committee noted that the Council of the Agency did not meet regularly, with only one meeting recorded in April 2021.
Delays in finalising meeting minutes were also highlighted, a matter that raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
Officials from NEA explained that the scheduling challenges were due to the composition of the Council, which includes the President. They confirmed, however, that all outstanding minutes have since been finalised, signed, and issued, ensuring compliance with reporting standards.
In addition to operational issues, FPAC considered the financial management of the Agency, noting discrepancies in check allocations and bank reconciliations. Management reported that D15,200 of outstanding checks had been successfully reconciled, while D7,000 remained unresolved. The committee emphasised the importance of improving monthly reconciliation processes to prevent delays in detecting discrepancies and urged the Agency to work closely with banks to resolve pending amounts.
To address challenges with Council meetings, a proposal was highlighted to amend the relevant Act to reduce the frequency of meetings from quarterly to twice a year, which officials said had already been reflected in the Agency’s working documents.
The committee also recommended that the Agency submit monthly reports to improve oversight and monitoring of activities.
FPAC members welcomed the improvements made over the 2014–2023 period, including the holding of emergency meetings when necessary and an overall increase in engagement by the Council. The committee stressed that proper documentation, timely reporting, and financial accountability remain critical to ensuring transparency and good governance within the Agency.
The agency thanked the Chair and committee members for their input and highlighted the steps already taken to address past shortcomings. They expressed confidence that with these measures, the Agency would continue to improve its operations and reporting standards.
Today’s consideration marks a key step in FPAC’s oversight role, ensuring that the NEA operates effectively, protects the environment, and maintains the highest standards of financial and administrative accountability.
