Local government authorities have called for the establishment of an independent audit department in councils to ensure proper management of public funds.
This was said during a two day validation workshop on the internal audit policy and procedures manual for local authorities which has been has been funded by USAID and UKAID through LGAP.
Currently, local councils use an outdated internal audit manual which was developed in 2007.
There are also concerns that the framework does not cover the recent public finance management reforms including the implementation of the IFMIS.
According to Ministry of Finance’s Director of Public Finance Monaosyile Villa Mhango, among others , the validation workshop will help in setting up a revised internal audit policy and procedures manual for local councils.
She added that the training will also assist in coming up with a standard manual on International Public Sector Accounting Standards for local authorities which will assist in the implementation of the IFMIS.
The development comes various local councils have been accused of failing to account for public funds.
Recently, parliamentarians challenged district councils to routinely provide audit reports as cases of corruption have been reported in some councils.
