By: Fatou Krubally
The Janjangbureh Area Council is facing calls to urgently fill the vacant position of Internal Auditor, with youth representatives warning that the prolonged vacancy could weaken financial accountability and transparency within the local authority.
The calls and concerns were raised during an interface dialogue that brought together council officials, youth representatives, civil society organizations and community leaders to review progress under the Council’s Strategic Plan and discuss challenges affecting local development.
While participants acknowledged progress made in implementing the strategic plan, they identified the absence of an Internal Auditor as a major institutional gap requiring immediate attention.
Youth representatives said an effective internal audit system is essential for ensuring proper oversight of public funds and strengthening accountability mechanisms within the council.
They urged the council to prioritize the appointment of an Internal Auditor, arguing that filling the position would improve governance, enhance transparency and increase public confidence in the management of local resources.
The dialogue also highlighted challenges relating to the council’s revenue base, which participants said continues to affect its capacity to finance development projects and improve service delivery.
Participants attributed the revenue shortfall partly to low compliance with the payment of rates and taxes, calling for stronger public awareness campaigns, improved revenue collection systems and greater transparency in the use of council funds.
Youth representatives further called for increased engagement between the council and young people, saying regular consultations would promote accountability and ensure that development plans reflect community priorities.
Responding to the concerns, council officials acknowledged the challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening governance structures, improving financial management and expanding public participation in local development processes.
The dialogue was organized under the Youth Promotion Initiative and concluded with renewed calls for institutional reforms, with participants stressing that filling the Internal Auditor position remains critical to improving accountability, transparency and service delivery at the Janjangbureh Area Council.