MUSCAT: Shaikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, Chairman of State Audit Institution (SAI), has presented SAI annual report to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The report highlights the outcomes of SAI action for 2022.
SAI channelled all its resources and capabilities to perform its national duty in implementing terms of reference and achieving goals entrusted to SAI with a high level of efficiency and professionalism. The step comes within the framework of active partnership at the institutional and societal levels in a manner that serves the sustainable development march.
SAI has also sent copies of its report to the Council of Ministers, State Council and Majlis Ash'shura 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.
In affirmation of SAI’s continuous development approach in preparing the content of the annual report, SAI took into account the rules, standards and technical guidelines as per relevant international organisations, in terms of inclusiveness, clarity, briefness, accuracy and objectivity.
SAI’s 2022 annual 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 and response by taking corrective measures in relation to observations and recommendations made by SAI. Some irregularities with a nature of suspicions of crime were referred to the Public Prosecution Department to take action accordingly.
The report also contained a statement highlighting SAI’s efforts in promoting integrity. The statement also included statistics on financial and administrative irregularities and the 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 of observations on the same.
The report also included SAI’s 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).
The annual report included an audit conducted on different topics in the government units through the implementation of 103 audit tasks, which resulted in 89 audit reports including an audit of the 2022 final account of the state.
The report also contained an audit on tax assessment and tax collection activities, as well as an 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 aspects.
With regard to community partnership in accordance with the principle of partnership in oversight and protection of public funds, during 2022, SAI dealt with 587 complaints and reports related to financial and administrative irregularities, non-integrity of awarding in some tenders, abuse of power, etc.
SAI has studied and examined 84 per cent of the complaints and reports received via available communication channels.
In addition, SAI annual report reviewed the most 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 has 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. – ONA
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