Muscat: The outcome of inspection conducted by the State Audit Institution (SAI) during 2023 yielded a number of positive results. This included the realization of direct added value and the reimbursement of RO 177 million 700 thousand funds to the State Budget. The funds included RO 95 million from 2023 cases and RO 82 million and 700 million from 2022 cases, after the submission of the 2022 to the SAI.
This was unveiled in the SAI “Community Brief” quoting the outcome of its 2023 annual report, as well as its financial and administrative follow-up of some government units, investments and companies under its supervision.
Ahmed Salim al Rujaibi, Deputy Chairman of SAI said that the “Community Brief” was compiled in implementation of the directives of His Majesty the Sultan to implement principles of transparency, integrity, accountability and responsibility in all sectors, while at the same time engaging society to consolidate the audit system and achieve the national goals.
Al Rujaibi added that the “Community Brief” for the year 2023 stemmed from the 2023 annual inspection plan prepared by the SAI, based on the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040", in addition to the principles standards approved by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). The plan also takes into consideration audit action guides based on the principle of relative importance and risk analysis.
Al Rujaibi pointed out that, in 2023, the SAI handled 115 cases related to public funds, some of which resulted in convictions, penalties and imprisonment for periods ranging from one month to 10 years. He added that the related fines ranged between RO 200 and RO 63,000 thousand, in addition to subsidiary and complementary penalties.
“As many as 28 cases have been referred to the Public Prosecution department, while 22 cases are still in the investigation phase and 65 other cases are being circulated from previous years,” Al Rujaibi added.
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