On Thursday, H.E. the Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NAO), Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, presented H.E. Parliament Speaker Mr. Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam and H.E. Shura Council Chairman Mr. Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh with the 20th annual report of the NAO for the professional year 2022/2023, during their respective meetings.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stressed that the support and patronage by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the entities subject to the NAO’s audit to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations and observations in the NAO reports, as well as the NAO’s full independence granted by law enabled it to perform its audit mandate to the fullest.
During the two separate meetings with H.E. the Parliament Speaker and H.E. the Shura Council Chairman, H.E. the Auditor General stressed the importance of consolidating the principles of integrity, honesty and professionalism to contribute to achieving the goals of the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
He pointed out that during the past professional year 106 audit tasks in 108 entities were completed following which 160 reports were issued in addition to 109 follow-up reports to ensure that the audited entities implemented the recommendations from previous years. Furthermore, 1127 recommendations were issued, more than 655 meetings were held and about 296 field visits, inspections and inventories were carried out.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed stressed that the NAO would continue to perform its duties in accordance with the law and adopt a positive approach and constructive partnership with the entities subject to its audit. He added that the NAO would continue to implement development plans and programs for its employees, enhance training programs and expand its audit services, especially more recent ones such as forensic auditing, digital transformation and the effective use of technology.
The NAO pays great attention to strengthen the professional and technical capabilities of its employees and raise efficiency and service levels through training programmes and professional qualification courses that comply with the international audit standards issued by the International Organization for Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
The NAO staff participated in 56 training courses; 44 % of the NAO’s technical staff, that is 44 employees, hold professional qualifications and women constitute 50% of the NAO’s total workforce.
Based on the constitutional and legal framework of its establishment, the NAO conducts financial audits, performance audits, compliance audits, information systems audits and forensic audits. The entities covered by the NAO’s audit mandate include ministries, directorates, and public organizations that constitute the administrative set-up of the State, the Shura Council, the Council of Representatives, the Municipal Councils, companies in which the State holds more than 50% of their capital, or which the State guarantees a minimum profit or which it provides with financial assistance, and any other entity which His Majesty the King authorizes the NAO to audit.
H.E. the Auditor General expressed his appreciation to the heads and members of Parliament and the Shura Council, for their attention to the reports, their follow-up on the observations and recommendations issued by the NAO, and their valuable role in supporting the national interest.
In addition to H.E. the Auditor General of the NAO, the following NAO representatives attended the two meetings: H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Deputy Auditor General Administrative Audit, H.E. Mr. Fayeq Ali Dhaif Deputy Auditor General Financial and Performance Audit, H.E. Dr. Isa Nasser Alnoaimi, Assistant Auditor General Administrative Audit, H.E. Mr. Qassim Ahmed Almadhoob, Assistant Auditor General Performance Audit, and H.E. Ms. Basma Abdulrahman Alahmed, Assistant Auditor General Regularity Audit.
The meeting at the Parliament was attended by the following members of parliament: H.E. the Speaker Mr. Ahmed Bin Salman Al Musalam, H.E. First Deputy Mr. Abdulnabi Salman, H.E. Second Deputy Mr. Ahmed Qarata, H.E Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Zainab Abdulameer and H.E. Secretary General Mr. Rashid Bunajma.
The following Shura Council members attended the meeting with the NAO: H.E. First Deputy Mr. Jamal Fakhroo, Second Deputy H.E. Dr. Jehad Alfadhel, H.E. Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Mr. Khalid Al-Maskati, and H.E. Secretary General Ms. Kareema Al-Abbasi.
