Sunday 24 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: The consistent endeavour and efforts of the State Audit Institution (SAI) has reaped rich benefits with a total of 587 complaints of financial and administrative irregularities, abuse of power and mismanagement in the awarding of tenders among others being dealt with in 2022, according to the annual report submitted to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
The report was submitted by Sheikh Ghosn bin Hilal Al Alawi, the SAI Chairman.
According to the report submitted, SAI studied and examined 84 percent of the 587 complaints and reports received via available communication channels with regard to community partnership in accordance with the principle of partnership in oversight and protection of public funds.
SAI has constantly been on the vigil and with cooperation of various stakeholders safeguarded the public fund over the years.
The SAI report highlighted the outcome of various actions taken during the past year.
SAI utilised all its resources and capabilities to perform its national duty in implementing terms of reference and achieving goals with a high level of efficiency and professionalism.
The implementation comes within the framework of active partnership at the institutional and societal levels in a manner that serves the sustainable development march.
SAI also sent copies of its report to the Council of Ministers, State Council and Shura Councils in implementation of Article (66) of the Basic Law of the State, promulgated under Royal Decree No. 6/2021 and Article (29) of State Audit Law, promulgated under Royal Decree No. 111/2011.
SAI took into account the rules, standards and technical guidelines as per relevant international organisations, in terms of inclusiveness, clarity, briefness, accuracy and objectivity while preparing the annual report.
The report includes several topics according to its 2022 annual audit plan, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
During 2022, SAI carried out 181 audit tasks that resulted in 147 audit reports, of which results were sent to the authorities concerned.
The departments concerned showed cooperation by taking corrective measures in relation to observations and recommendations made by SAI. In cases of irregularities with suspicions of crime, the guilty were referred to the Public Prosecution Department for necessary action.
The report highlighted SAI efforts in promoting integrity with a statement. It included statistics on financial and administrative irregularities and the remedial measures taken towards them.
The report also contained SAI tasks of the Anti-Corruption Authority and following-up the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption.
The report also shed light on SAI efforts in the examination of draft laws, regulations and systems issued by the departments covered by audit and taking note observations on the same.
SAI participation in meetings and conferences held on the UN Convention against Corruption, Arab Anti-Corruption Convention and the committees concerned with combating corruption in the GCC countries, as well as its participation in the meetings of anti-corruption law enforcement authorities in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were also detailed.
The annual report included audits conducted on different topics in the government units through the implementation of 103 audit tasks, which resulted in 89 audit reports including audit of 2022 final account of the state.
The report contained audit on tax assessment and tax collection activities, as well as audit on financial and administrative activities, the performance evaluation of some departments and directorates in the government units, in addition to audit on some aspects related to the sectors of commerce, agriculture, tourism, labour, health, education and others.
SAI carried out 78 audit tasks, for which 58 audit reports were issued and sent to the authorities concerned.
The reports included SAI observations and recommendations, in terms of aspects related to the activities of the authorities, investments and companies concerned with the sectors of energy, aviation, environment, electricity and mining, and other significant sectors.
In addition, the report reviewed prominent media and awareness activities, through which SAI aims to achieve optimal awareness and build honest practices at both institutional and societal levels.
As many as 259 media and awareness programmes, activities and events were implemented in 2022.
The constructive cooperation between SAI and other state institutions also contributed to the consolidation of the concept of responsibility to protect public funds and preserve the state’s gains.
This had a positive impact on the outcomes of implementing the 2022 audit plan and achieving the objectives set therein, in conformity with the priorities and goals of Oman Vision 2040.
