Probe launched into allegations of embezzlement

Business Tuesday 16/April/2019 20:35 PM
By: Times News Service
Probe launched into allegations of embezzlement

Muscat: Investigations are currently underway after allegations surfaced of embezzlement at the Ministry of Education, a top official at Oman’s State Audit Institution (SAI) has said.
According to the official, SAI cannot publish any detail about the issue as the Public Prosecution’s investigation is yet to be completed. In an online statement, SAI said, “SAI is using all the tools and powers at its disposal to carry out the functions entrusted to it, leading to the efficient use of public funds and services.”
Said bin Salem Al Arimi, Director General of the General Directorate of Supervision of the Education, Health and Agriculture Sector at the SAI, said “Referring to the statement issued by the Governmental Communication Centre about social media reports regarding financial irregularities in the Ministry of Education, SAI reported earlier violations to the public prosecutor, who in turn completed the investigation in cooperation with the concerned authorities. In order to conduct the course of the investigation lawfully, it is prohibited to publish any information about the incident until it has been decided by the judiciary.”
Al Arimi added that SAI works in accordance with an integrated system of state institutions, so that, through the exchange of information and experience, every institution can co-operate with all the others. He also confirmed that the State Audit makes continuous efforts to contribute to the national development process. “It is responsible for maintaining public money and improving services provided to citizens alongside the rest of state institutions.”