By Kucalo reporter
The Alliance Against Corruption (AAC) has expressed serious concern over the Auditor General’s report on the accounts of local authorities for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, citing widespread financial mismanagement and weak accountability systems.
AAC Executive Director, Dr Noel Chisebe, said the findings contained in the report paint a troubling picture of the operational capacity of local authorities across the country. He noted that systemic failures in revenue collection, coupled with poor financial controls, raise serious questions about governance at the local government level.
Speaking in an interview in Kabwe, Dr Chisebe described the revelations of uncollected fees, unaccounted-for funds, misapplication of public resources, and over-employment of staff as unacceptable and in urgent need of correction.
“The report is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted corruption and lack of transparency that continue to plague local authorities,” Dr Chisebe said. “These irregularities are not mere administrative oversights; they are clear indicators of corruption that must be addressed with the seriousness and urgency they deserve.”
He called on the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to take swift and decisive action to address the shortcomings highlighted in the report and to ensure the full implementation of the Auditor General’s recommendations.
Dr Chisebe further urged government to strengthen governance structures within local authorities by enhancing financial monitoring and oversight mechanisms. He stressed that improved accountability systems are critical to ensuring that public resources are managed prudently and used for the benefit of citizens.
He warned that failure to act decisively would erode public trust in local governance institutions and undermine service delivery at the grassroots level.
Picture: Dr Noel Chisebe
