A recent report by the Jordan Audit Bureau has thrown light on significant financial irregularities within the National Aid Fund and Royal Jordanian Airlines, raising alarming questions about fiscal responsibility and governance.
According to the findings of the Audit Bureau, which was released for the year 2023, the National Aid Fund dispensed nearly 54,000 Jordanian dinars (approximately $76,000) as field survey allowances to employees who had temporary contracts. The report highlights this as a violation of employment agreement conditions stipulating all-inclusive salaries without any additional allowances.
Specifically, the report noted, "The amounts were disbursed for employees working under the sponsorship of donor agencies, which is contrary to the employment contract terms." These payments, made during the fiscal year 2022, included over 53,951 dinars dedicated to field survey work, raising eyebrows on compliance with standard regulations, particularly considering they came from donor-supported initiatives.
Adding to the controversy, the report also revealed inappropriate travel allowances totaling 4,400 dinars were disbursed to employees and lecturers participating in workshops, with 2,157 dinars of this amount exceeding what was justifiably owed. This discrepancy entails serious repercussions, as it contravenes regulations governing travel expenses.
The Prime Minister acted swiftly, requesting on June 14, 2023, the recovery of these excess travel allowances and rectification of the outlined financial and administrative violations. Following this directive, the National Aid Fund established a special committee to oversee compliance and rectify the discrepancies, with several corrective actions already initiated.
Meanwhile, the Royal Jordanian Airlines faced its reckoning. The Audit Bureau's report criticized the airline for not adhering to loan repayment schedules, only making interest payments. This failure resulted not only in financial penalties but also forced the airline to reschedule its debts multiple times, leading to increased interest rates from 1% to 2.5%. The Bureau noted, "The company failed to pay loan installments, incurring additional penalties, resulting in increased loan costs." This alarming oversight raises concerns over financial management at the national airline and the impact of such decisions on its operational sustainability.
Further inquiry revealed operational lapses as well, with items worth over 250,000 dinars being mishandled. The company had reportedly allowed usable clothing to deteriorate due to inadequate inventory management, with no actions taken to safeguard these assets.
These findings are part of broader issues of financial accountability within Jordanian institutions, particularly post-pandemic, where economic performance and governmental financial integrity have become focal points for public discussion.
Stakeholders and citizens alike are now calling for stringent oversight and reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and efficacy within government-funded organizations. The Prime Minister's prompt action suggests acknowledgment of these calls and intent to rectify the lapses reported.
Going forward, the significant role of the Audit Bureau becomes ever more evident. Its findings serve as pivotal instruments not only for leading financial reform but also for reinforcing public trust. Improving financial compliance and recovering any misallocated funds will undoubtedly be steps toward stabilizing the fiscal situation and ensuring the responsible management of public resources.
Jordan's path to economic recovery hinges significantly on its ability to enforce accountability measures, preventing misconduct within public institutions. The continued scrutiny and follow-up on these audits will be key to ensuring both the integrity of financial operations and the trust of the public.
