The House of People’s Representatives’ Public Expenditure Management and Control Affairs Standing Committee has uncovered serious financial mismanagement within the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT), citing a budget deficit exceeding half a billion birr.
During a recent review of the ministry’s project contracts and human resource management, the Standing Committee highlighted severe irregularities, including misuse of public funds and government resources.
Dr. Yeshimebet Demise, Chairperson of the Standing Committee, criticized the ministry for implementing projects without prior evaluation or proper planning. She noted that government-funded and donor-supported projects were not prioritized or submitted for consultation with relevant bodies. Additionally, numerous projects remain unfinished with no clear status updates, and financial and physical implementation challenges persist.
The Committee also raised concerns about violations of legal procedures, including the premature termination of projects and the unlawful transfer of funds to other initiatives. To address these issues, it has mandated an audit of expenses related to transportation rentals, data center construction, science cafes, and employee salaries within 15 days.
Regarding human resource practices, the Standing Committee criticized the ministry for failing to adhere to legal hiring procedures. It urged the ministry to correct the process and ensure that recruitment follows proper recommendations. Additionally, concerns were raised over unreturned government assets by former employees, prompting calls for strict recovery measures.
In response, Federal Auditor General Mesete Demete stated that “the institution is not prepared to correct the audit findings,” emphasizing that funds were spent on incomplete projects. She also described the ministry’s human resource and asset management as weak, calling for immediate corrective action on unauthorized payments.
The Federal Anti-Corruption Commission is expected to oversee the audit findings and enforce legal accountability.
Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Molla, acknowledged the audit deficiencies, attributing them to the multifaceted nature of the ministry’s operations. He assured the Standing Committee that an action plan would be developed to address the issues and that corrective measures would be presented.
“The work being done with the World Bank and partner organizations to implement Digital Ethiopia 2025 is extensive,” Dr. Belete stated. “We are committed to rectifying the audit gaps that have been identified.”
The Standing Committee has urged the House to take further action by correcting procedural shortcomings and holding those responsible for the financial mismanagement legally accountable.
Source: Tikvah Ethiopia
