STATE AUDIT OFFICE
- Press Release -
Skopje, 10.06.2021
Inspectorates in RNM work with 50% reduced HR capacity in the past 10 years
Competent authorities have not taken all necessary measures and activities for organizing operation of an efficient inspection system, unimpeded implementation of inspection process and preventive action and measures for eliminating irregularities and shortcomings
The State Audit Office conducted performance audit on the topic "Institutional capacities of inspectorates in the Republic of North Macedonia" to answer the question whether institutional capacities of the inspectorates in RNM provide for efficient inspection supervision.
The performance audit was conducted in line with SAO Annual Work Program for 2020. The audit covered the period 2017 - 2019, as well as certain areas, issues and events until the day of reporting on the audit.
In relation to the strategic and legal framework for the operation of inspectorates, the authorized state auditor ascertained that there is no Development Strategy for the inspection services in RNM, which should be the main long-term strategic document with defined policies and measures for development of the inspection supervision and services.
The auditors made analysis on data submitted by the Inspection Council on issued licenses for inspectors in the inspectorates and inspection services – 1.692 licenses were issued for 45 types of inspectors employed in 28 inspectorates and inspection services, of which 842 are active inspector licenses. Given the importance and the role of inspections, the decreasing number of inspectors in the country, which has reduced by 50 % in the past 10 years, is a situation that requires urgent measures for increasing the number of inspectors in the country.
In the Government Program 2020 - 2024, concerning inspection services, it was concluded that there is still great distrust among citizens and the business sector in the efficiency and impartiality of state and local inspections.
Regarding reforms of the system and the rules of inspection supervision, it is envisaged to appoint Deputy Prime Minister in charge of coordination of all inspection services, as well as to reduce significantly the number of inspectorates and to increase the number of environmental inspectors and market inspection.
It is also planned to introduce "E-inspector" platform for all inspection services, and the obligation to publish monthly reports with data on when and where was conducted inspection supervision and the results thereof, as well as regular meetings with interested civil society organizations for presenting results and problems faced by inspection services.
Considering the efforts of the Government for reforming the system and rules of inspection supervision, as well as the Government Program 2020-2024 including the introduction of "E-Inspector" platform, the auditors identified high risk for reform implementation because the ICT department and the ICT support unit and e-inspection unit have no employees (even though 9 job positions are planned).
With the performed analysis of Inspection Council data, the auditors ascertained that the state inspectorates have foreseen 1.006 job positions for inspectors, of which 602 positions or 60% are filled, while the inspection services have foreseen 418 job positions for inspectors, of which 210 positions i.e. 50% are filled.
The audit report also states that the work of large number of inspection services is impeded due to insufficient number of inspectors - if there are no new employments in the upcoming period there is a risk of suspension of operation of several inspectorates i.e. the inspectorates will not be able to perform the competence delegated by law.
From the performed analysis on databases available to the inspectorates, the authorized state auditor ascertained incomplete data on the entities subject to inspection, due to insufficient cooperation with other state institutions responsible for registration of entities subject to inspection.
Auditors also detected lack of integrated information system for monitoring the work of inspection services. The absence of such information system creates a risk of subjectivity in the selection and distribution of supervision, and thus makes it difficult to monitor the performance of inspectors.
Link to the Audit Report:
https://dzr.mk/sites/default/files/2021-06/45_RU_Institucionalni_kapaciteti_na_inspektoratite_vo_RSM_2021_KOMPLET.pdf
Press contact:
Albiona Mustafa Muhadziri +389 72 228 203
[email protected]
Mijalche Durgutov +389 70 358 486
[email protected]
Martin Duvnjak +389 75 268 517
[email protected]