By Fatou Sillah
An audit of The Gambia’s National Assembly has identified irregularities in the approval process for constituency development projects totaling more than D2.6 million, raising concerns about oversight and compliance with internal procedures.
According to the 2022 Audit Report, project proposals and activities funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) amounting to GMD 2,679,949.50 were not endorsed by the Office of the Clerk, as required. The fund is intended to support development initiatives in the constituencies of National Assembly members.
Auditors said a review of CDF-related payments revealed that several proposals lacked formal approval from the Clerk’s Office, despite the National Assembly serving as the contracting authority for such projects. As a result, the report noted, these proposals could not be verified as legitimate or properly authorized expenditures.
“Proposals for development projects or activities lacking Clerk approval cannot be considered genuine or properly funded by the Assembly, given NAS as the contracting entity,” the report says.
The finding was classified as high priority. Auditors recommended that the Assembly provide a clear explanation for the absence of approvals and submit properly endorsed documentation for verification. They also urged stricter adherence to procedures to ensure that all future procurement and project documentation reflects formal authorization from the Clerk’s Office.
“The National Assembly should provide a valid explanation for why the Clerk did not approve the proposals. Obtain and furnish clerk-approved documentation for audit consideration, and ensure future NAS procurement and project initiation documentation reflects clerk approval,” the report says.
In response, Assembly management acknowledged the lapse and said measures had been introduced to strengthen internal controls.
“The Office of the Clerk has strengthened its internal controls to ensure that all proposals are formally approved before any action is taken,” management said.
Auditors, however, maintained that the issue remained unresolved and indicated it would be revisited in subsequent reviews.
“The issue remains unresolved and will be confirmed in the subsequent audit,” the auditors said.
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