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Lawmakers are calling for an independent investigation after an audit flagged irregularities in public fund allocation across several departments
Opposition lawmakers on Friday demanded an independent inquiry into a government spending report that flagged irregularities across several public departments, intensifying pressure on officials already facing scrutiny over budget oversight.
The demand follows the release of an internal audit conducted by the Office of Budget Accountability, which identified discrepancies totaling an estimated 4.2 million in unaccounted public funds across three departments over the past fiscal year. The audit, submitted to lawmakers earlier this week, cited incomplete documentation and delayed reporting as primary contributing factors, though it did not allege specific wrongdoing.
“The public deserves a full and independent accounting of where this money went, not another internal review that answers to the same officials being questioned,” said opposition leader Daniel Okonjo at a press briefing Friday. Okonjo’s remarks are illustrative of the broader frustration expressed by opposition members following the report’s release.
Government Response and Pushback
Government officials have pushed back against characterizations of the audit findings, with Finance Minister Renata Holt stating that the discrepancies stemmed largely from administrative delays rather than misconduct. “These are documentation gaps that occurred during a system transition, and we are already addressing them,” Holt said in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
Despite the government’s explanation, opposition lawmakers have called for the matter to be referred to an independent parliamentary committee, arguing that internal departmental reviews lack the transparency needed to restore public confidence. Several opposition members said they plan to formally introduce a motion next week calling for the inquiry’s establishment.
What Happens Next
Parliamentary procedure requires a majority vote to establish an independent inquiry committee, meaning the motion’s success will likely depend on support from undecided members. Analysts following the dispute say the outcome could shape public perception of fiscal oversight ahead of upcoming budget discussions.
Officials from the Office of Budget Accountability said a more detailed breakdown of the audit’s findings is expected to be made public in the coming weeks, regardless of whether the inquiry motion advances.
