Maravi

Councils lack strict financial regulation, says Chituwo

COMMENT - Didn't minister Chituwo come out of the Ministry of Health?

Councils lack strict financial regulation, says Chituwo
By Kombe Chimpinde and Florence Bupe
Sat 12 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT

LOCAL government minister Dr Brian Chituwo says there is a need for robust systems in district councils for improved service delivery. And the parliamentary committee on local governance says it is worrying that councils are failing to account for public funds.

Dr Chituwo said there was gross mismanagement of resources in district councils due to lack of stringent financial control systems. “There is a need for proper monetary systems that allow for checks and balances,” he said.

Dr Chituwo said he had tabled audited accounts of all councils before Parliament, with Lusaka City Council as a priority. His ministry would publicise the findings of the Lusaka audit once investigations were concluded.

Parliamentary committee on local governance chairperson Regina Musokotwane said it was worrying that many councils were still failing to account for use of resources.

He said most councils had neglected the issue of unretired imprest, which constituted the larger part of unaccounted for funds.

Committee member Dr Solomon Musonda castigated Chama District Council secretary Newton Ng’uni for entertaining debt swaps in cases of unretired imprest.

Labels: BRIAN CHITUWO, LOCAL GOVERNMENT

posted by MrK @ 4:57 AM