Muscat: For the first time in Oman, governmental bodies will fall under the jurisdiction of the Financial and Administrative Audit Control in a move that observers say will help combat corruption and monitor the efficiency of government agencies.
The Muscat Municipality, the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the Administrative Judiciary Court and the Public Authority for Craft Industries will now be monitored by the state audit body where previously they were under the control of the Diwan Royal Court.
Mohammad Al Zadjali, the head of the Legal Committee at the Shura Council, applauded the move and said that all government agencies should be brought under the new audit body. He specifically named the Advisory Council and the State’s Council.
Ahmad al Gilani, a prominent Omani researcher, said that the move will make employees think twice before committing any irregularity.
“The move is also timely as it comes amid the economic crisis where the country is witnessing a slump in oil prices,” he told Gulf News.
The Financial and Administrative Control Law issued as per the Royal Decree No. 111/2011 aims to protect the public and private funds of the state.
It also aims to ensure the enforcement of laws and regulations, prevent conflicts of interest and financial/administrative violations and detect deficiencies or weaknesses in the applicable financial or administrative laws.
Meanwhile, the Financial and Administrative Audit Control has been studying a proposal to establish an independent authority to combat corruption, but there has so far been no announcement.
Oman continues to wage its “war” on corruption after it joined the United Nations Convention against Corruption in June 2015, in accordance with Royal Decree No. 64/2013.
Over the past six years, many officials have been arrested and slapped with hefty penalties over financial irregularities.
