Muscat: The conclusion of the inspection conducted by the State Audit Institution (SAI) in 2023 was marked by a series of commendable achievements. These included the realization of direct added value and the reimbursement of a total of OMR177.7 million to the State Budget. The funds returned included OMR95 million from cases submitted in 2023 and OMR82.7 million from cases submitted in 2022, following the submission of the latter to the SAI.
This information was disclosed in the SAI's "Community Brief," which highlighted the findings of its annual report and the financial and administrative oversight of various government entities, investments, and companies under its purview.
Deputy Chairman Ahmed Salim Al Rujaibi of the SAI mentioned that the compilation of the "Community Brief" was carried out in accordance with His Majesty the Sultan's directives to uphold principles of transparency, integrity, accountability, and responsibility across all sectors, while also fostering societal engagement to strengthen the audit system and achieve national objectives.
Al Rujaibi further elaborated that the "Community Brief" for the year 2023 was developed based on the SAI's 2023 annual inspection plan, which was aligned with the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040" and the standards approved by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). This plan also incorporated audit action guides, focusing on the principle of relative importance and risk analysis.
He noted that in 2023, the SAI managed 115 cases concerning public funds, with several resulting in convictions, penalties, and imprisonment, ranging from one month to 10 years. The associated fines varied from OMR200 to OMR63 million, in addition to other subsidiary and complementary penalties.
Al Rujaibi also mentioned that 28 cases were referred to the Public Prosecution department, while 22 cases were in the investigation phase, and 65 others were being reviewed from previous years.
