Councils face Government audit

standards.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo last week launched the administrative systems audit for Midlands and the team started with Vungu Rural District Council and Gweru City Council.
The audit team is expected to give feed back to councillors and council officials who are tasked with implementing recommended adjustments, if any, before the second audit begins in three months.
In an interview after the launch on Friday last week, Minister Chombo said Government wanted to ascertain councils’ compliance with procedures and regulations in the operation and conduct of business.
“There will be regular check ups to assess all local authorities countrywide and ensure that everything is systematic.
“There have been numerous reports of alleged gross mismanagement and abuse of public funds leading to a decline in service delivery and this is a shortcut to correcting these shortcomings before they become wayward.
“If policymakers do their work and those who implement stick to their responsibility, then good corporate governance will be guaranteed.”
He said the programme was national and similar audits have already been carried out in Mashonaland East and Central.
Minister Chombo hoped that those ordered to make the necessary recommendation would comply.
“After being given the guidelines by my officers we expect those found on the wrong side to make the necessary corrections.
“If the second team comes and finds that nothing has been done, obviously, Government would take appropriate action.”
He said local authorities should abide by the Government policy of 30:70 costs to service delivery ration.
“Most local authorities continue to flout the policy with council officials awarding themselves hefty allowances for sittings and salaries, despite presiding over collapsed service delivery.
“We have to be tough on this one because these are the cost drivers that inhibit quality service delivery in most municipalities.
“Salaries gobble 70 percent of the budget and these are usually financed by rates, suppleme-ntary charges and levies,” he said.