New bill on financial inspection sparks debates

TIRANA, June 15 – Government has recently approved a new bill on financial inspection which the opposition claims creates a parallel structure to the Supreme State Audit, the highest institution of economic and financial control.
The new bill on public financial inspection envisages the establishment of a financial inspection directorate at the Finance Ministry which will also carry out inspections on expenses of the central and local government institutions but also audit private companies and NGOs who signed state contracts.
The draft law determines rules, procedures administrative structures and methods on the functioning of financial management and control in all public sector units and managerial responsibilities on the planning, implementation, budget control, accounting and reporting.
Government says the law’s main goal is the efficient use of public financial resources to ensure transparency, and avoid misuse, and abuses.
The initiative comes after recommendations by the EU that the Albanian government should urgently consider the need for the creation of a specific central inspection service to deal with complaints and reported cases of violation of public internal financial control regulations and to begin the drafting of a separate financial inspection law.
As expected the draft law sparked debates between majority and opposition lawmakers when discussed in the parliamentary economy and finance committee this week.
The opposition considered the bill a step toward creating a parallel structure to the Supreme State Audit under the authority of the Finance Ministry.
“We want to know if the competences of the constitutional institution such as the Supreme State Audit, the Intelligence Service (SHISH) or courts have been affected,” said opposition lawmaker Erjon Brace demanding additional information from the majority.
However, ruling Democratic Party deputy Shrefedin Shehu assured the draft law would not affect the work of the Supreme State Audit, whose independence is guaranteed by Constitution.