Windhoek:Representatives of town councils have raised concerns about skill deficits and systemic challenges that are affecting financial reporting compliance in Namibian local authorities. This was discussed at a recent session on International Public Standards on Auditing hosted by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), which brought together over 100 officials.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Blessing Nyandoro, Director of Accruals at the Office of the Auditor General, reported that only three out of 26 town councils managed to submit their financial statements over the past decade. This highlights significant compliance challenges, with persistent reporting issues predating the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Nyandoro emphasized that the main obstacle under IPSAS is now the timely submission of financial reports.

Nyandoro also pointed out that many municipal and town council reports continue to receive disclaimers or adverse audit opinions due to inadequate documentation and poor records management. He noted that only three authorities have submitted their financial statements for 2026, and thanked NIPAM for organizing sessions to help address these capacity gaps.

At the same event, Matuiipi Kahima, head of finance for Otjinene Village Council, discussed the knowledge and capacity gaps among councillors and financial managers. He stressed that many local authorities lack the internal competency and systems needed to compile financial statements, underscoring the need for training to bridge these gaps.