Parliamentary Committee Calls for Investigation into Swelling Fortunes of Officials with Positive Evaluations

The parliamentary Integrity Committee, on Monday, called for a comprehensive investigation into the swelling fortunes of some directors and officials who had previously received positive performance evaluations. This came during the committee's hosting, chaired by MP Taha Al-Dafai, of the head of the Financial Supervision Bureau, his deputies, and several directors. The meeting aimed to discuss the administrative and financial performance of the Bureau's departments and the challenges hindering its oversight work. The agenda included discussing the Financial Supervision Bureau Law's amendment importance and proposed modifications. Interventions focused on transitioning from post-audit to pre-audit, reviewing the Bureau's governance, automation procedures, and operational development plans. Committee members questioned the Bureau's work being limited to monitoring violations post-damage and public funds wastage. They emphasized automating oversight, shifting to electronic transactions (digitization) from paper correspondence, to address slow report pace due to vast files and limited auditing staff. MPs also reviewed several violations and suspected corruption cases, inquiring about the Bureau's proactive role in uncovering them, and reiterating the need to investigate the inflated wealth of officials who had previously received positive evaluations. The session also addressed service and financial aspects affecting citizens. This covered inquiries about the legal basis for collecting fees in passport, traffic, investment companies, birth/death registration departments, and hospital patient visiting fees. Further, it discussed mechanisms for overseeing border crossing revenues, privatization contracts for goods inspection, and evaluating governorates' and ministries' performance in stalled projects. The Financial Supervision Bureau head noted a conflict with its law, especially the Integrity Commission, requiring current law amendments. He stated the Bureau sends comprehensive annual reports to the Integrity Commission, Public Prosecution, and judiciary, affirming no interference in files indicating corruption, also confirming his report on Ministry of Oil files was sent to the Integrity Commission. Concluding the session, the parliamentary committee affirmed its intention to involve sub-committees for regular, intensive follow-up on the Financial Supervision Bureau and Integrity Commission's work, a move described as "declaring a state of supervisory emergency." Committee members expressed full readiness to legislatively support the Bureau against any pressures impeding its safeguarding of public funds, stressing continued accountability and awaiting official written responses regarding all raised questions and files.