Muscat – The State Audit Institution (SAI) has announced the results of its inspection for 2023, revealing significant financial gains for the public treasury. The total amount collected and recovered stands at approximately RO 177.7 million, with RO 95 million collected in 2023 alone, and an additional RO 82.7 million from 2022.

The findings were published in the SAI’s “Community Summary,” which highlights the institution’s commitment to enhancing integrity and accountability across various government sectors. This report follows the submission of the annual report for 2023 to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and copies distributed to the Council of Ministers, the State Council, and the Shura Council, as required by the Basic Law of the State and the State Financial and Administrative Audit Law.

His Excellency Ahmed bin Salem Al Rujaibi, Deputy Chairman of SAI, emphasized the importance of transparency and community involvement in strengthening the control system to achieve national goals. He noted that the summary reflects the results of audits conducted according to the annual inspection plan, aligning with “Oman Vision 2040” and international auditing standards.

In 2023, SAI executed 187 audit tasks, issuing 185 reports that included 2,683 observations across various government units, agencies, and companies under its supervision. Key areas of inspection included tax collection processes, operational evaluations of government programs, and readiness assessments of educational institutions.

The inspections also extended to the oil, gas, and minerals sectors, focusing on financial, administrative, and operational works within these industries. The SAI scrutinized several contracts, project evaluations, and compliance with regulations.

Additionally, the SAI handled 115 cases related to public funds, resulting in various convictions, with penalties ranging from one month to ten years in prison, alongside monetary fines. Among these cases, notable offenses included bribery, forgery, and embezzlement, with 28 cases referred to the Public Prosecution.

The report revealed a total of 951 complaints and reports received in 2023, with 87 percent resolved. These complaints primarily pertained to financial and administrative violations, employee grievances, and abuse of authority.

To enhance community partnerships, SAI underscored its commitment to addressing complaints through accessible communication channels. The authority also studied 57 legal legislations to provide feedback on draft laws related to financial and accounting affairs.

His Excellency Al Rujaibi reaffirmed SAI’s dedication to promoting public awareness and community engagement through various media and outreach initiatives aimed at safeguarding public funds and preserving national achievements.