MINISTRY of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Administration, Maambo Haamaundu, has challenged internal auditors in councils to take a firm stance against illegalities.

Mr Haamaundu who has officially opened the consultative workshop on development of an internal audit manual for  local government in Ndola District noted that it is high time that auditors in  council stood for what is right for the development of the nation.

He said this is arising from the decentralized policy put in place by the government where a lot of money is being pushed to the local authority hence ensuring that the funds are utilized for the intended purpose.

Mr Haamaundu stated that the development of the manual for internal auditors which is under consultation will see auditors working in a more structured manner away from the old way of doing things.

The Permanent Secretary said the consultation is being anchored by the department of internal audit from the Ministry of Local Government with the controller of internal audits under the Ministry of Finance.

He said owing to the difference in the way the local government and central government handles financial matters, there was a need for the local government to formulate a new development internal audit manual to effectively foster challenges in the local government.

The Permanent Secretary Administration has since appreciated the Zambia Evolution Support Programme under the Word Bank for rendering financial support so that the consultative meeting can take place.