Mayors accused of meddling

MUSANZE — Andrew Sibomana, the president of the Local Financial Managers Network (LFMN), has advised districts directors of finance to stick to laws governing public financial management, procurement and avoid succumbing to pressure from politicians. He was addressing financial directors drawn from districts across the country at a second meeting of LFMN in Musanze last week. His remarks, followed reports by participants that political leaders like Mayors create confusion in the financial affairs of the districts which amounted to meddling within the working sites of financial managers. “There are always conflicts of responsibility on issues touching on finances such as money transfers and related procedures at the local authority levels,’’ Isaac Mukeshimana, from Nyabihu District said. In response, Sibomana, who is also the financial director of Kicukiro District, urged participants to operate within the set fiscal laws in order to avoid mismanagement of public funds. Sibomana said that the meeting was called with the intention of discussing the rules governing public financial management while tackling issues that might lead to mismanagement of funds, budget execution and money transfers. It was recommended that directors of finance should always be part of the district decision making organs especially with regard to financial transfers and budget allocations. The participants also held discussions on their challenges and how the finance managers can fully control district finances to ensure that the local government funds are put to the intended use. The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance and supported by GTZ. Ends