Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Parliament has commended the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) for enhancing its financial management systems and implementing key audit recommendations, a move aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency in the administration of the country’s road funds.
The commendation followed the adoption by the National Assembly of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on Zinara’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as presented in the Auditor-General’s report on State-owned Enterprises and Parastatals.
Presenting the motion in the House, PAC chairperson, Mr Charlton Hwende, praised Zinara for taking corrective measures to address past irregularities and for strengthening internal control systems.
Zinara has been undergoing a major restructuring drive to improve governance, operational efficiency, and financial management.
The administration has also posted clean financial audits for two consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to transparency and accountability.
In recognition of these efforts and aligning its operations to the national strategic vision of the country, Zinara was named the best parastatal for 2024.
Said Mr Hwende: “Parliament’s oversight work has been instrumental in transforming Zinara.
“In the past, debates in this House on the administration’s finances led to investigations and the arrest of individuals implicated in financial improprieties. This demonstrates the importance of effective oversight in promoting accountability within public institutions.”
He also commended the Auditor-General’s Office for its diligence in producing audit reports that enable Parliament to identify weaknesses within parastatals and thanked Members of Parliament for their robust debate and input into the committee’s work.
“This recognition is not accidental, it shows that when Parliament and public institutions work together through transparency and accountability, tangible results can be achieved,” Mr Hwende added.
Lawmakers across the political divide supported the adoption of the report, agreeing that regular audits and the implementation of Auditor-General recommendations are crucial to ensuring that taxpayers’ funds are used efficiently and for their intended purposes.
The adoption of the report marks a key milestone in efforts to restore public confidence in State-owned enterprises, many of which have faced criticism in the past for poor governance and weak accountability.
