Samuel Atta Mills, Ranking Member of the committee, questioned a financial record indicating that the assembly spent GH¢150,000 on fuel in a single day in November 2024.
The figure, captured in documents submitted for review as part of the Auditor-General’s report scrutiny, drew immediate disbelief from committee members.
Atta Mills openly challenged the plausibility of the expenditure, asking how a district assembly could consume such a large amount on fuel within 24 hours.
He argued that the sum appeared excessive even for larger operations, suggesting it could potentially sustain a regional security operation for an extended period rather than a single day’s use by a local assembly.
Representatives of the assembly present at the hearing struggled to provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure when questioned.
Their initial explanation—that the amount reflected bulk purchases and advance payments—failed to satisfy the committee, prompting further demands for supporting documentation.
The committee requested receipts, fuel logs, and authorization records corresponding to the transaction, noting that the timeline of the expenditure was recent enough for proper documentation to be readily available.
The session grew increasingly tense as officials attempted to respond, eventually committing to submit detailed records within 48 hours.
Speaking after the hearing, Atta Mills emphasized the need for accountability, stating that such figures raise serious concerns about financial management practices.
He indicated that if the expenditure can be justified, it may point to deeper systemic issues requiring a comprehensive audit. Otherwise, he stressed, those responsible must be held accountable under the law.
The committee has given the assembly a one-week deadline to present all relevant documents or face further action.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have begun calling for stricter oversight and possible disciplinary measures as scrutiny over the expenditure intensifies.