The U.S. Embassy Libya reported last Thursday that, in a historic first for Libya, auditors from the Audit Bureau’s branches in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sebha completed a professional auditor accreditation programme, making them Libya’s first ever to complete a certification that meets the rigorous standards of the INTOSAI.
The INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) is a separate legal of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, which supports capacity development of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) mainly in developing countries.
On Thursday, USAID Libya Country Representative, John Cardenas, and Audit Bureau head, Khaled Shakshak, marked this significant achievement with a recognition event where USAID provided the newly certified auditors with IT equipment to help them perform their job duties.
The U.S. Embassy noted that according to Transparency.org, Libya ranks 171/180 on its corruption index. It said in a country where ‘‘far too few of Libya’s oil revenues are going to support the needs of the Libyan people, the Libyan Audit Bureau has an important role to play in government oversight and fighting endemic corruption.’’
The Embassy said the USAID looks forward to continued partnership with the Libyan Audit Bureau in its efforts to improve the transparency of government operations in Libya. The USAID is conducting a long-term Libyan Public Financial Management Programme to help improve transparent government operations.
