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2009 Assessment

Jordan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Jordan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Supreme Audit Institution
Indicators		Score
58	In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?	100
59	Is the supreme audit institution effective?	63
60	Can citizens access reports of the supreme audit institution?	67

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?

58: In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?

Score:

YES

Comments: It is the Audit Bureau.

References: Constitution, Article 119 [ LINK ]

Is the supreme audit institution effective?

59a: In law, the supreme audit institution is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: Based on the constitution, the Supreme Audit Institution is protected from political interference. However, last year, the president of the Audit Bureau was dismissed from service by the previous government in the absence of parliamentary sessions. Later he was reinstated in his position by the current government.

References: Audit Bureau Law #28/1952 [ LINK ]

59b: In practice, the head of the audit agency is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

References: Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan 10, 2009; Alrai Daily, [ LINK ]

59c: In practice, the audit agency has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan 10, 2009

59d: In practice, audit agency appointments support the independence of the agency.

Score:

100

Comments: Appointments are usually based on professional criteria. However, in general, appointments to government institutions are commonly influenced by political or personal incentives. These may include conflicting family relationships, professional partnerships, or other personal loyalties.

References: Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan 10, 2009

59e: In practice, the audit agency receives regular funding.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: [ LINK ]; Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan. 10, 2009; Audit Bureau Law #28/1952, [ LINK ]

59f: In practice, the audit agency makes regular public reports.

Score:

100

Comments: Since 2007, the Audit Bureau has submitted bimonthly reports to the cabinet, and an annual report to the lower office of Parliament. In the current year the office did not issue his annual report yet because the parliament was dissolved at the end of November 2009, and it is not definitely known when the parliamentary elections are going to be held. Usually, when submitted to parliament, the report is made public by any of MPs.

References: Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan. 10, 2009; [ LINK ]\LocalAndGover\2009\06\LocalAndGover_issue609_day08_id148765.htm

Peer Review Comments: Audit agency reports are not always made public to the media.

59g: In practice, the government acts on the findings of the audit agency.

Score:

100

Comments: Audit reports are often ignored by the government, or given superficial attention. The lower house of parliament doesn't push the government to act on the findings of the Audit Bureau, so they do not lead to policy changes.

References: Interview with Dr. Mamduh Abbadi, an MP, head of the country's branch of Arab Parliamentarians Against Corruption, head of the Jordan Transparency Association, Oct. 11, 2009; Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan. 10, 2009; Interview with Dr. Mohamad Thnebat, former minister of Administration Development, Amman Jan. 10, 2009

Peer Review Comments: In practice, the government acts on the findings of the audit agency.

59h: In practice, the audit agency is able to initiate its own investigations.

Score:

100

Comments: The Audit Bureau is allowed to conduct professional audit job of all public documentation and specify any breach of regulation in his report. No investigation could be initiated by the Bureau.

Can citizens access reports of the supreme audit institution?

60a: In law, citizens can access reports of the audit agency.

Score:

YES

Comments: Reports are not made publicly accessible, but they might be requested based on the Right of Access to Government Information Law.

References: The Right of Access to Government Information Law #47/2007 stipulates that citizens have the right to access written, recorded, and photographed government information and basic government records.

60b: In practice, citizens can access audit reports within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: The Audit Bureau submits it reports to parliament but doesn't publish them.

References: Phone Interview with Mustafa Albarary, Head of Audit Bureau, Jan. 10, 2009; Interview with Dr. Mamduh Abbadi, an MP, head of the country's branch of Arab Parliamentarians Against Corruption, head of the Jordan Transparency Association, Oct. 11, 2009; Interview with Dr. Mohamad Thnebat, former minister of Administration Development, Amman Jan. 10, 2009

60c: In practice, citizens can access the audit reports at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: The Audit Bureau submits it reports to parliament but doesn't publish them. Reports don't impose a financial burden on citizens, journalists or CSOs, who can access them for free based on personal relations.