Head of SAI: Slovakia squandered historic opportunity, corruption dominates EU funds
Auditors have uncovered thousands of violations in the disbursement of European money. The head of the Supreme Audit Office speaks of a functioning structure that systematically abuses funds from Brussels.
Head of SAI: Slovakia squandered historic opportunity, corruption dominates EU funds
Slovakia received more than 28 billion euros from the citizens of other European Union countries during its 22 years of membership. Per capita, this amounts to a sum exceeding 5,300 euros. Despite this unprecedented financial injection, however, the country has failed to make effective use of the resources, according to the highest auditor.
Ľubomír Andrassy, who heads the Supreme Audit Office, told the Aktuality.sk portal in an interview that Slovakia squandered a unique opportunity to reduce regional disparities and improve living standards. Audit findings show more than five thousand cases of regulatory violations. Of the total volume, nearly three billion euros went towards activities without proper management, and over six billion was used for purposes other than those intended.
The most serious deficiencies repeatedly appear in projects where the state contributes minimally or not at all. To illustrate the failure, Andrassy cited the digitalisation of public administration. Ten billion euros was spent on this area, yet citizens are still unable to resolve most life situations digitally. Information systems are outdated, contain incorrect data, and are practically impossible to work with.
The head of the audit office paid special attention to the Agricultural Payments Agency. Years ago, the then-serving head of the SAI, Karol Mitrík, proposed its dissolution on the grounds that the institution was rotten from within. Andrassy repeated this view and called the APA a textbook example of what a state organisation should not do. Audit findings concerning misuse of other people's property are repeatedly forwarded to investigators and prosecutors. However, they act at their own discretion and do not always lead to the prosecution of specific individuals.
Andrassy also highlighted the practice of so-called temporary heads, who appear briefly at a ministry or managing authority, complete their assigned task, and move on to another post with access to funds. As an example, he cited the transfer of an official from the APA to the Financial Administration.
According to the head of the SAI, in recent years towards the end of each programming period, a logic prevails that it is more important to spend funds than to achieve measurable results. He described this approach as an irresponsible waste of taxpayers' money from across the Union.
Source: Aktuality.sk
Source: Aktuality