Councils undergo training to digitalize financial records

Local Government Authority (LGA) has begun training local councils in preparation of the digitalization of all financial records and transactions by councils via the Viya Portal.

Training for LGA’s Viya Portal is being carried out in four phases.

Speaking to press regarding the training, LGA’s Financial Officer Shifa Ali Murthala said that at least two employees from each council will be enrolled in the training program.

Each of the four phases of the training program will last for a duration of five days.

Training for the first batch of 50 employees began this Sunday.

The council employees will be familiarized with the Viya Portal and trained on its usage.

The Viya Portal provides a platform for local councils to carry out administrative work such as budgeting, generation of budget reports, and management of bills, petty cash and purchase orders.

It will also allow the Finance Ministry to review financial transactions of local councils.

 Shifa reports LGA is working on launching the Viya Portal by November 30.

State Minister for Finance, Ahmed Shareef, who served as chief guest of the inauguration of the training program, noted that manual preparation of financial records of local councils posed a great many challenges.

“A great many councils don’t send in their annual financial reports,” said Ahmed Shareef.

He expressed hope the Viya Portal will serve as a solution to the issues.