The recognition highlights the Assembly's performance in complying with public financial management regulations and procedures designed to promote transparency, accountability and the efficient use of public resources.

The results were announced at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with development partners as part of efforts to assess and strengthen financial management practices among local government institutions.

The Public Financial Management Compliance League Table evaluates assemblies against key indicators, including budget credibility, transparency, and accountability, implementation of audit recommendations, procurement compliance, financial reporting and adherence to public financial management laws.

According to the assessment results, the Assembly placed third among the nine assemblies in the Oti Region, with its score of 87.40 per cent earning it a place among the top 10 assemblies nationally.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Parke-Davis Magyigbe, together with Assembly officials, attributed the achievement to the commitment and hard work of staff, Assembly Members, management, the Member of Parliament and other stakeholders who contributed to strengthening financial governance in the municipality.

The officials noted that the recognition reflected the Assembly's efforts to improve accountability promote transparency and ensure that public resources were managed in accordance with established financial regulations. Sound financial management remains essential to the work of local government authorities, as it supports effective budgeting, proper expenditure control and the implementation of development projects intended to improve the welfare of residents.

The Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the gains recorded in the assessment while addressing existing gaps to further strengthen its financial management systems and improve service delivery.

The ranking provides an opportunity for the Assembly to build on its performance by maintaining fiscal discipline, improving internal controls and ensuring that financial resources are directed towards approved development priorities.

The Public Financial Management Compliance League Table forms part of broader efforts to strengthen financial discipline across public institutions and encourage compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), and its associated regulations.

The assessment also serves as a monitoring tool to help assemblies identify weaknesses in their financial management systems and take corrective measures to improve future performance.