The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly adopted the 2022 activity report and financial statements of the National Assembly Authority (NAA) on May 13, 2026. The committee's session, held on this date, included FPAC members, officials from the National Assembly Service, and auditors from the National Audit Office (NAO). The adoption followed a full review of the NAA's financial operations and activities for the specified fiscal year. During this scrutiny session, a significant portion of the discussions focused heavily on expenditures from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), noting its importance in the National Assembly Authority's financial oversight. The committee aimed to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds managed by the NAA, particularly those allocated for community development projects.
Concerns Over Constituency Fund Spending
During the review, specific concerns emerged regarding procurement practices, documentation gaps, and significant price variations in projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). These issues were brought to light by auditors from the National Audit Office and formed a central part of the committee's deliberations. A detailed review of payments revealed D5,030,100 allocated for milling machines, intended to support agricultural initiatives in various constituencies. Additionally, D2,387,350 was allocated for borehole drilling projects, key for providing access to clean water in underserved areas.
Auditors noted particular discrepancies, such as two milling machines being procured at a combined reported cost of D230,000, which raised questions about consistency and fairness in pricing across different procurements. Further scrutiny found that delivery notes for CDF-procured items, valued at a substantial D3,599,335, were not retained on file by the National Assembly Authority. This absence of critical documentation indicated significant deficiencies in record-keeping and raised concerns about the verification of goods received. The discrepancies and lack of proper documentation prompted extensive discussions within the Finance and Public Accounts Committee regarding the effectiveness and robustness of oversight mechanisms for CDF expenditures. These findings showed the urgent need for enhanced internal controls and more rigorous adherence to procurement guidelines to safeguard public funds.
NAA's Reforms and Oversight Mechanisms
In response to these identified challenges and to address the concerns raised by the audit, the National Assembly Service is actively strengthening its procurement systems. Officials stated that the service is transitioning towards an open tender process for projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund. This new approach aims to enhance transparency and competitiveness in the allocation of contracts, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively. To streamline project implementation and management, constituencies have now been divided into distinct lots for all CDF projects. This structural change is intended to facilitate more targeted oversight and efficient execution of development initiatives across different regions, allowing for better monitoring and accountability for each specific area.
Monitoring mechanisms within the National Assembly Authority have also been strengthened significantly. Internal teams now conduct routine site visits to projects, ensuring compliance with project specifications and progress on the ground. This enhanced oversight aims to address previous concerns regarding procurement practices and documentation gaps, as noted by recent audits. These reforms are part of a broader effort by the National Assembly Authority to improve accountability and the efficient use of public funds allocated through the Constituency Development Fund. The implementation of these measures is key for restoring public confidence and ensuring that development projects achieve their intended impact.
Committee's Adoption and Future Outlook
The scrutiny session focused heavily on expenditures from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with the committee delving into the details of financial allocations and project implementations. Reforms are actively being introduced to address challenges in CDF implementation, with both internal and external oversight mechanisms now firmly in place. These include dedicated internal audit teams tasked with continuous financial scrutiny and monitoring and evaluation staff within the National Assembly Authority, responsible for assessing project performance and impact. Following the thorough review and extensive discussions, which addressed the audit findings and the proposed corrective measures, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee subsequently adopted the 2022 activity report and financial statements of the National Assembly Authority. This adoption signals the committee's acknowledgment of the issues and its endorsement of the steps being taken by the NAA to improve financial management and accountability. The commitment to strengthening oversight is expected to lead to more transparent and effective utilization of the Constituency Development Fund in the future.