Zidi Criticizes Iraq's Financial Audit Body, Orders New Oversight Measures

Prime Minister Ali Zidi criticized the work of the Iraq Financial Audit Authority during a Cabinet meeting and ordered new steps to strengthen protection of public funds and improve financial oversight. He instructed the Finance Ministry to form a central committee and to make use of international audit firms. Zidi also called for contract ceilings to be set, saying any contracts that exceed the limit should be referred to the competent central committee. The move is intended to tighten control over public spending and standardize review procedures. He stressed the need to adopt pre-audit and post-audit procedures in project implementation. The directive places greater emphasis on monitoring projects before and after execution. Zidi also granted the head of the Financial Audit Authority the power to return directors general to their posts.