High State Audit unveils Euro 6.5 million in abuses

TIRANA, Nov. 5 – The High State Audit says it unveiled around 934 million lek (Euro 6.5 million) in economic damage during inspections carried out in central and local government institutions for the first half of this year. The damage includes the economic and financial activity for the 2007-2012 period and the first quarter of 2013, the High State Audit says in a report.
The biggest abuses were identified in the customs administration with 182 million lek, especially in the Durres and Kapshtica customs points.
Abuses in the procurement area were reported at 167 million lek with violations in the municipalities of Durres and Kavaja and the Albanian Road Authority topping the list. Third came abuses in the tax administration with around 60 million lek mainly as a result of failure to collect 10 percent in profit tax from the rehabilitation of the Bistrica 1 and 2 hydropower plants by KESH power corporation. The state auditors also identified 45 million lek in abuses with wages and 17 million in renting of state-owned property.
The High State Audit says it has demanded 519 administrative measures against public administration employees including fines and dismissals. The Audit says it has also filed 20 lawsuits, 18 of which are being investigated into by the prosecution office.