When the new Administrative Control and Transparency Authority begins reporting directly to the Emir, it will no doubt give us more confidence in its performance.
In the coming days we will witness major improvements in the authority’s activities and performance after the issuing of Emiri Decree No. 6 of 2015, which reorganises this body by appointing a chairman who will report directly to the Emir.
The Emir will monitor the activities of the Authority by requesting its chairman to submit reports on the administrative, financial and technical issues the body deals with, including any aspect of its performance or any related information.
The Emir may give general guidance on what the body must do in relation to public policy. The chairman of this new body is H E Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, who has previously served as Minister of Education but didn’t get the opportunity to show his creativity due to the limited period he stayed in office.
He has an enormous responsibility, which he is most qualified for, and will initially define the objectives of the Authority, which was created to achieve the highest level of integrity and transparency in the public sector and fight corruption.
According to the decree, the Authority will circulate information about its commitment to integrity and transparency. It will facilitate access to such information for certain individuals, who we hope will be from the general public.
The decree provides for direct channels of communication with the public to receive suggestions and complaints about corruption and dishonesty.
We request the new chairman to give this high priority because without direct communication with the public the body will be in one world and the citizens in another.
There is no doubt the citizen wishes to see procedures put in place to promote integrity and transparency in all government sectors, especially with regard to management of state funds, which will require an iron fist and transparency in tendering and auctions.
We also request speeding up the preparation of the charter of integrity of public officials, contractors and suppliers. This is a core function of the Authority.
Of course, the decree didn’t forget the role of the press and other media in highlighting issues related to corruption. They should help the Authority uncover what is hidden.
The press is the mirror that reflects reality and reveals the truth by removing the falsehood covering it. I believe it is worth researching how the press deals with complaints or investigations into cases of official neglect, mismanagement or exploitation.
We need a nationwide effort to combat and eradicate corruption by preventing it in the public and private sectors.
We must all stand as one to help the Authority achieve its objectives since we are all accountable to God and the Emir, may God protect him.
