High State Audit uncovers Euro 1.5 mln of abuses

TIRANA, Dec 12 – Albania’s High State Audit has identified 221 million lek (around Euro 1.55 million) of financial abuses during controls carried out in the first quarter of this year. The damage unveiled in the 85 inspections carried out in state institutions during this year belongs to the 2009-2011 financial activity and was mostly identified in central government institutions.
The biggest abuses during this year have been identified in the renting of state-owned property at a total of 47 million lek. The report notes that the Transport Ministry has unfairly passed to SGA Automotive technical control concessionaire 15 million lek which proves to represent a net profit belonging to the state budget.
Procurements, although made through an online system since years now, rank second with a damage of 32 million lek, mostly in local government units.
The High State Audit says it has submitted 285 disciplinary measures against state employees in the inspected institutions. Audit officials have filed lawsuits against five state employees among whom two property legalization officials, and employees in the Durres Port, Culture Ministry and Petrele Commune.
The High State Audit signed a cooperation deal with the Finance Ministry this week strengthening cooperation. The financial watchdog has also recently signed deals with the Competition Authority, the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and the General Directorate of Patents and Trademarks.