CCDA AUDITS NOT DONE IN 2 YEARS: SUNGI

PICTURE CAPTION: CCDA Acting Managing Director Debra Sungi. (Borrowed pic)

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), Acting Managing Director, Debra Sungi, says audits of the organization’s books have not been done for the past two years because some financial documents went missing during the previous management period. Some of these files were handed over to the police for investigation and were not returned, making it impossible to complete the audit.

To address the issue, CCDA worked closely with the Auditor General to reconstruct financial reports using bank statements. This process was completed in December of 2025 and the full audit is now set to begin. Ms. Sungi noted that until recently, the authority did not have an internal audit officer, but the position has now been filled, strengthening governance.

The delay in auditing has raised concerns for the Auditor General and development partners. Five former CCDA officers have been issued warrants of arrest for gross mismanagement of public funds, while two others were acquitted during the previous management period.

Meanwhile, Ms. Sungi also highlighted the importance of the new CCDA Audit Committee, which was established with the swearing-in of new board members in early December last year. She said the committee will help promote transparency, accountability, and good governance, especially as CCDA now has direct access to international funding and can generate revenue under the amended Climate Change Management Act.

She stressed that audits are a tool for continuous improvement, not punishment, and called for full cooperation among committee members, management, and the board. The committee will include the Auditor General, the Secretary for Finance, two independent members, and other key officials.

Ms. Sungi is confident that good governance will help improve organizational processes, protect the country’s reputation, and strengthen collaboration with development partners.