The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) acknowledges the Auditor-General’s reports published in The National newspaper, which referenced audit observations from earlier operational years of the authority, particularly the period between 2015 and 2020.
The authority made it known that after the conclusion of the audits cited, considerable measures were taken to remedy concerns raised during that period.
CCDA acting Managing Director Debra Sungi said the reports related to a time when CCDA was still transitioning institutionally and prior to the establishment of several key governance and oversight mechanisms.
“Over the past two years, the authority has focused on strengthening its governance, compliance, and internal control systems,” Ms Sungi said.
“This includes the formal establishment of the national climate change board and its audit committee, which are now fully operational and providing oversight in line with public sector requirements,” Ms. Sungi said.
She said CCDA has taken practical steps to address earlier audit observations through the introduction and implementation of core policies and systems.
“These improvements include the establishment of a fixed asset registry and asset management arrangements, financial management manual, petty cash policy, vehicle policy, as well as human resource, travel and ICT policies.
“Together, these measures are helping to strengthen accountability and improve day-to-day financial and administrative management.
“The CCDA is only a decade old after going through the organizational transition in 2015 and has made significant efforts towards improving its compliance, transparency, and accountability.
“We have rolled out the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) in 2024 to streamline our financial operations, established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other manuals to effect reforms and advance how we conduct business,” Ms. Sungi said.