Judges of Algeria’s national audit office: “take out restrictions on our prerogatives in public money management control”

The national audit office judges Monday called for eliminating restrictions on their prerogatives in control over public money management and expenditure. They showed dissatisfaction about their exclusion while corruption scandals are on the rise in Algeria.

“It is unbelievable that the national audit office judges are excluded while Algeria is hit by corruption scandals,” Hareche, president of the judges’ union told the Algerian News Agency (APS).

He criticized authorities for creating the Central Office of Corruption Repression, two years ago.

The Office was set up as part of counter-corruption mechanisms stipulated by the law on the fight and prevention against corruption which was promulgated in 2006.

The union leader considered the creation of the Central Office of Corruption Repression as a “big humiliation of the national audit office.”

“Its prerogatives are part of the national audit office missions,” he said.

He warned the national audit office president of revealing his administration practices through media and accusing it of responsibilities misuse.

Hareche described working conditions in the Office as “difficult”, saying it is impossible for judges to accomplish their missions properly because of the administration practices and bad management.

A total of 100 financial judges work at the national audit office. They submit an annual year to the People’s National assembly about financial allocations.

Although the reports criticized public money expenditure by ministries and official institutions, the government did not react.