Early this year, Dr Harib Saeed Al Amimi, head of the UAE's State Audit Institute, told The National that some federal ministries and agencies did not give audit findings the respect they deserved. When questions and suggestions got no response, issues tend to persist year after year.
Dr Al Amimi's comments were duly recorded, but they appeared to have little effect. On Tuesday, however, the Federal National Council took up the same issue, refusing to endorse the official annual report on federal spending and sending it back for further review.
This news is a remarkable sign of the growing focus on accountability in government. As a consultative body, the FNC lacks the statutory power to make binding decisions on federal spending, but the scrutiny is a dramatic step towards fixing irregularities in financial administration; it is also an invigorating step in the development of national institutions.
In any organisation, public or private, auditors exist to verify the efficiency, probity and effectiveness of spending and revenue flows. An essential part of that role is following up with officials involved, to confirm that a problem, once identified, is tackled and finally resolved.
The recurring irregularities cited in the audit report, while not enormous, are legitimate reasons for concern. The federal court in Umm Al Quwain, for example, has long been sending fees it collects not to the federal court as it is supposed to do, but rather to the emirate's government. A change in the accreditation procedure for doctors, mandated by a 2008 law, has somehow not yet taken effect. And so on. Particularly eye-opening is the refusal by the Ministry of Financial Affairs to even let the auditors into its offices.
After some procedural discussions, the FNC and Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for FNC Affairs, agreed that committee members would go over the spending report again, in detail, with officials from the ministries concerned. The determination shown by many FNC members may well prompt the officials to make progress on the problems raised.
The amazing pace of growth of the UAE has challenged the capacity of many institutions; naturally, public administration has experienced growing pains. But it is equally natural that those problems should be addressed.
Clarity, efficiency, responsiveness and transparency are the hallmarks of sound administration. The process we saw this week is a welcome step towards that goal.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Naga
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From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
More on Quran memorisation:
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.