Government Spending Under Scrutiny: Audit Reveals Significant Issues
A recent report by the Court of Audit has highlighted a series of concerning issues within federal government spending and contract management. the audit revealed a pattern of incomplete documentation, significant cost overruns, and questionable billing practices.
In multiple instances, government services were unable too provide complete documentation for audited contracts. Specifically, for at least eight assignments, files lacked crucial evidence such as verification of exclusion grounds for bidders, published contract notices, notifications to unsuccessful applicants, or justifications for contract awards.
One notably striking example involved a framework contract for administrative simplification services. Initially estimated at €400,000,the contract’s value has ballooned to €10 million,a figure that should have triggered approval from both the Minister of Budget and the Council of Ministers.
Long-term contracts and inflated costs were also identified. A 2016 order for a software architect, initially valued at €55,000 for a three-month engagement, continued through 2022, ultimately costing €1.1 million including VAT. The audit also flagged a consultant’s invoice for 310 working hours in a single month – equivalent to approximately 16 hours per workday – as possibly excessive and warranting further examination.
the Court of Audit uncovered an exceptionally long-standing contract for “mechanography services” originally awarded in 1972 and only recently concluded in 2024. The continued reliance on the same contractor was attributed to a lack of internal expertise and technical dependence, though the contracting authority noted some functions had been brought in-house over the decades.
These findings raise serious questions about oversight and accountability in government procurement and spending.
