KEYIR NEWS:- The Office of the Federal Auditor General has disclosed that federal institutions have returned only a fraction of funds flagged in audit findings over multiple fiscal years.
Auditor General Meseret Damte, presenting a performance update to the Parliament, said that out of over 20.4 billion Br identified for return in the audit report submitted during the 2022/23 fiscal year, only 2.9 billion Birr, approximately 14.2 per cent, has been recovered.
In addition, Meset noted that just 0.13 per cent of the more than 23,230 dollars flagged in foreign currency misappropriations has been returned.
The report was delivered in the presence of Speaker Tagesse Chafo, who underscored the joint accountability of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice in overseeing public resource management. He called for enhanced monitoring by budget-funded institutions to ensure compliance with financial directives.
The Speaker also indicated that the House will take part in administrative and legal measures against entities with persistent audit discrepancies.
Parliamentarians raised concern over the audit’s effectiveness, questioning the value of repeated findings if institutions consistently fail to return misused or unaccounted funds. Several members emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and timely action.
The findings come amid ongoing concerns about public finance governance and institutional accountability, despite repeated efforts to tighten fiscal controls and strengthen audit follow-ups.