Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi emphasized the critical role of financial oversight in protecting public funds and ensuring citizens' rights, describing it as both a national and ethical responsibility.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Zaidi made these remarks during a visit to the Federal Board of Supreme Audit headquarters, where he convened a joint meeting with the head of the Board and the head of the Integrity Commission, alongside the Minister of Finance. The focus of the meeting was to discuss mechanisms to enhance preventative oversight, safeguard public funds, and refine procedures for auditing government contracts.

The Prime Minister underscored the necessity of hard work and commitment to fulfill responsibilities, highlighting the legal and national duties everyone must bear. He advocated for the adoption of a pre-audit principle for contracts prior to their signing as a preventative measure. This approach, he explained, is essential for addressing potential issues before they manifest into larger problems or corruption cases.

Al-Zaidi instructed the formation of a specialized team from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit to conduct pre-audits of contracts within a maximum of ten working days. This initiative aims to ensure both swift completion and effective oversight by setting clear parameters for the contracts subject to review.

Further, he stressed the importance of ensuring that government contracts are legally and technically robust, with fair and reasonable pricing. Highlighting inflated costs as a significant avenue for corruption, al-Zaidi called for decisive actions to prevent such malpractices. He also emphasized the need for projects to align with the specifications and quality outlined in the contracts.

The Prime Minister advocated for fostering a preventative mindset within oversight practices, complementing traditional oversight roles. He reiterated the commitment to keeping the Federal Board of Supreme Audit free from political influences and quotas, focusing on competence, integrity, professionalism, and impartiality as the core of its operations. Al-Zaidi pledged the government's full support to both the Board and the Integrity Commission to ensure they can perform their duties effectively and independently.