Gov't adapts new approach to tackle Audit Bureau violations — Daoud

AMMAN — Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Sami Daoud on Friday said that the government has established a new approach in dealing with the reports of the Audit Bureau, one that guarantees the preservation of public funds, curbing corruption and eliminating administrative sloppiness.

In an interview with the Jordanian Television programme "Sixty Minutes", the minister said that the government has “dealt firmly” with the issues and violations mentioned in the Audit Bureau's reports, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He highlighted that the team assigned to review the violations finished rectifying the violations mentioned in the 2018 report, with 37 violations referred to the Jordan Anti-Corruption Commission (JACC).

He added that 47 violations were referred to the judiciary, and 71 decisions were issued to recover public funds that were spent without right or legal basis, pointing out that the amount expected to be recovered from these cases amounts to approximately JD110 million.

Daoud stressed that the government will not leave any violation unaddressed, and that the role of internal oversight units in institutions will be strengthened to prevent further violations.

Daoud highlighted that “the doors of the government are open to any inquiry” and that the government will take immediate action to address any violation received with “transparency".

The minister also stressed that the government is "keen" on tackling the misuse of government vehicles.

He said that a technical team from the government has conducted field visits to all government institutions and departments and conducted a comprehensive assessment of the use of government vehicles. According to the team's findings, the government has withdrawn 1337 government vehicles, he added.

Daoud also pointed to the establishment of an electronic tracking system for all 13,500 government vehicles during the coming period.

On merging and cancelling independent institutions, the minister affirmed that this process has so far resulted in official decisions regarding 10 institutions, noting that the government will continue the merger and cancellation process for other institutions.

Regarding the new civil service bylaw, Daoud stressed that it is in response to the requirements of administrative reform, and seeks to raise public sector efficiency and employee performance.

He noted that the most prominent characteristic of this bylaw is linking bonuses and rewards to employees with their performance.

The bylaw also seeks to promote equality among all government employees in terms of privileges and rights, the minister added.

He pointed out that the government has completed the amendments of 175 legislations within administrative reform measures, with the aim of facilitating and simplifying government procedures.