Most damage was identified in the sale and rent of state-owned assets, worth 674 million lek
TIRANA, Jan. 30 – The High State Audit has unveiled 15.3 billion lek (Euro 107 million) of abuses in controls carried out in central and local government institutions during 2012. Inspections showed the direct economic damage is estimated at 13.5 billion lek, while financial damage is reported at 1.8 billion lek.
The financial abuses belong to the economic and financial activity covering 2008-2011 period and the first 9 months of 2012.
Most damage was identified in the sale and rent of state-owned assets, worth 674 million lek. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy is reported to have caused a damage of 607 million lek in violations to concession contracts because of failing to collect concession fees. Procurements rank second with a total damage of 444 million lek of which 225 million lek only by the Interior Ministry.
Several municipalities such as that of Saranda, Pogradec, Peshkopi, Berat etc have also caused the state budget 125 million in urban planning because of not paying the infrastructure tax which stands at 1 percent of the investment value.
Operating expenditure rank third with damage estimated at 104 million lek followed by violations in the salary system with 72 million lek. The customs system has also caused the state budget 62 million lek in damage while the tax administration has abused 38 million lek
The High State Audit says it filed 40 lawsuits for officials involved in abuse of office mostly in local agencies for the legalization and urbanization of informal zones, as well as municipalities and communes. The Audit also gave 1,221 disciplinary measures against abusive officials.
