The decision by the State Audit Institution (SAI) to address the trail of misappropriated funds, to the tune of Dh1 billion, is a proactive step in the right direction.
The embezzlement of the state's money through public funds, forgery, fraud and bribery has cost the country's exchequer dearly and the guilty must be brought to book. This is in line with the government's priority to raise standards of accountability and transparency amongst its employees which also raises the levels of governance and offers enhanced credibility to federal organisations. The UAE is one among the most ‘investor-friendly' places in the region, but it has also been a hunting ground for the dishonest. Tighter punitive measures and stricter audit controls while monitoring expenses could help track down these people and deal with them effectively. The best approach, however, is to develop a heightened sense of collective obligation and this is where the SAI's approach aims to pay dividends.
