Gov’t clarifies position on audit reports, reaffirms commitment to accountability

We wish to emphasize the following important points:

1. We fully respect the independence of the National Audit Office (NAO) and due process as established under the 1997 Constitution and the National Audit Office Act, 2015. The government recognises that once audit reports are submitted, the next step is scrutiny by the National Assembly specifically the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Enterprises Committee (PEC) through open hearings and lawful procedures. Government will, as always, be cooperating fully with FPAC and providing management responses, documentation, as required.
2. Alleging that public communication responding to falsehood is “interference is misguided. Ministers and senior officials have a duty to inform the public, correct inaccuracies, and explain Government’s position especially where preliminary commentary about audit findings may be incomplete or misconstrued. Public clarifications by Ministers do not substitute or pre-empt the Assembly’s review; they supplement it by ensuring citizens are accurately informed while the parliamentary process runs its course. This is consistent with government press transparency and prior clarifications on audit-related matters.
3. What happens next:

Government will cooperate with PAC/PEC and submit management responses and appear before the committees in fulfilment of oversight accountability responsibility. Where PAC/PEC confirm audit observations and pass specific resolutions, the government will implement corrective actions, including internal control improvements, recovery of any verified loss of public funds, and prosecution through lawfully established means.

The executive commends the auditors for the phenomenal job accomplished and is committed to continue supporting and working with auditors to strengthen audit readiness across MDAs, including training, record-keeping, and timely submission of accounts, in line with the NAO Act and international public-sector auditing standards.

Debunking misleading allegations and countering misinformation does not in any shape or form halt, influence or impede the parliamentary process or the Auditor General’s statutory functions.

Commenting publicly while explicitly deferring to PAC/PEC is a legitimate exercise of the Government’s duty to correct misimpressions and to set the record straight for the public. We therefore urge all stakeholders, including civil society, to allow the National Assembly’s scrutiny to proceed and to refrain from prejudging outcomes or ascribing motives to institutions' absent evidence.

The government once again is committed to ensuring accountability, while maintaining our responsibility to communicate clearly and transparently with the Gambian people.