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Mogadishu (AX) – In a jaw-dropping revelation, Somalia’s Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has exposed a mammoth misappropriation of funds within government work permits and passport services. A meticulous forensic audit covering March 8, 2018, to April 20, 2023, unveiled a vast chasm between collected revenues and what landed in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The examination disclosed that work permits and visa extensions amassed $33,370,260 in total. Yet, only $12,437,690 found its way into the treasury, spotlighting a staggering $20,932,570 siphoned off. Passport service revenues tallied at $41,804,998, but just $36,828,047 were deposited, highlighting a $4,976,951 swindle.
Eleven officials convicted of these crimes now face prison terms stretching from one to nine years. Some culprits are banned from governmental jobs for five years, while others face a permanent expulsion.
These discrepancies first reared their heads in 2020 during a compliance review for the 2019 fiscal year, prompting a comprehensive OAG investigation. The audit, spanning a hefty five years, delved into diverse facets of government income. Accusations were levied against 22 officials, including 15 from the Immigration and Naturalization Directorate, three from the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank, and four linked to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
The forensic review also flagged an eye-catching growth in monthly takings from visa extensions and work permits. Earnings from visa extensions rocketed from $160,419.67 to $439,045 monthly. Work permit fees saw a surge from $43,476.89 to $358,400.
In accordance with Article 45(3) of the Public Financial Management Law, the OAG presented the Compliance and Financial Audit Reports for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, to both parliamentary houses. These reports will be posted on the OAG website (http://oag.gov.so) in a month, as stipulated by Article 10(1) of the OAG Law and Article 45(4) of the PFM Law.
