The NAO’s efforts in preserving public funds and verifying their proper management praised.
His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court, received from His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NAO), the seventeenth annual report of the NAO for the professional year (2019/2020), which he submitted to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.
His Majesty the King praised the important role of the NAO and the efforts of its employees, noting the outstanding performance and achievements in preserving public funds and verifying their proper management and the legitimacy of their use by applying highest standards of professionalism and transparency.
For his part, His Excellency the Minister of the Royal Court acknowledged the NAO’s performance of its entrusted responsibilities and guarding the independence of its work as part of the reform project of His Majesty the King and the completion of constitutional institutions, which guarantees raising the level of productivity, efficiency and best use of resources, thus enhancing the level of services for the benefit of the nation.
He referred to the NAO as adopting best professional practice, taking into account the developments at local, regional and global levels, and ensuring the application of the highest levels of integrity and transparency.
For his part, the NAO’s Auditor General, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, said that the development and growth achieved by the NAO since its inception and its ability to perform its duties efficiently are due to the continuous support, good guidance and generous patronage it enjoys from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He emphasized his appreciation for the unlimited support from His Majesty the King, which facilitates the NAO’s audit work and increases its level of quality.
He added, "We are guided by the directives and views of His Majesty the King in completing audit missions and reports, making observations and recommendations, implementing control over public funds, and establishing the principles of integrity, responsibility and transparency in dealing with and managing public money in accordance with the provisions of the law."
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed continued, "I am honoured to submit the seventeenth annual report of the National Audit Office (2019/2020) to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, according to Article 19 of our Law. Every possible effort was made to ensure the report’s respectable quality despite the exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He added, "The Corona pandemic unexpectedly changed work methods at global and local levels. This did not discourage the NAO from carrying out its audit work in an accurate, reliable and professional manner in line with international professional standards and best practices, in order to continue to provide added value to the entities subject to its audit, and other stakeholders. "
Sheikh Ahmed noted that the audit work carried out according to the NAO’s work plan covers various economic, social, service, health and environmental sectors, including the development of natural resources such as plants, animals and marine life. The NAO adopts a positive approach in its audit work based on cooperation with the entities subject to its audit and applies the latest international standards.
He affirmed that (96) audit tasks were accomplished, (129) audit reports were issued as well as (46) follow-up reports which aim to ensure that the entities subject to the NAO’s audit implement the recommendations made in previous reports and address the areas to be improved as indicated by the NAO’s observations and recommendations.
He explained that the NAO’s follow-up on its recommendations revealed that the entities subject to its audit had implemented about 80% of the total recommendations issued in the NAO’s audit reports, an increase of 14% compared to the professional year 2018/2019. Furthermore, the NAO’s follow-up covered two years instead of one year previously.
In terms of development within the NAO, Sheikh Ahmed said that as part of the NAO’s commitment to raise its level of technical and organizational performance, to enhance its professionalism and to strengthen its core values when carrying out audit tasks, the NAO has issued a code of ethics and professional conduct, and has started to formulate its strategic plan for the next four years.
He added, "The NAO continued to develop the capacity of its employees, enhanced the role of its Public Relations and International Cooperation Directorate to boost communication, cooperation and the sharing of knowledge with stakeholders, especially with international and regional audit and accounting organizations, and strengthened its Legal Affairs Department."
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed praised the constructive cooperation between the NAO and relevant parties which facilitated the NAO’s audit work in the entities subject to its audit.
His Excellency appreciated the efforts and dedication of the NAO’s employees in implementing the NAO’s work plans, preparing reports, and accomplishing audit tasks with efficiency, professionalism and competence.
