Office du Niger Audit Uncovers 120 Million FCFA in Management Irregularities
A recent financial audit has exposed significant administrative and financial mismanagement within Mali’s Office du Niger, a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural sector. The investigation, covering fiscal years 2024 and 2025, identified a web of irregularities including improper recruitments and non-compliant public contracts, leading to an estimated financial damage exceeding 120 million FCFA.
Systemic Failures in a Key Institution
The audit report paints a picture of an institution operating outside established regulatory frameworks. According to the findings, the Office du Niger allegedly conducted recruitments that bypassed official procedures and filled positions not authorized in its organizational chart. This suggests a fundamental breakdown in human resource governance.
Furthermore, the institution was found to be operating without a validated Contract-Plan, an essential document for strategic planning and performance monitoring. How can an organization effectively steward public resources without a clear roadmap? This omission points to a deeper issue of strategic drift.
Adding to the concerns, the audit revealed that the Office failed to enforce mandatory insurance clauses in its public contracts. This negligence left the public institution exposed to substantial and entirely avoidable financial and legal risks.
The Staggering Financial Toll
The financial impact of these administrative lapses is both clear and concerning. Investigators tallied specific irregularities amounting to 120,343,250 FCFA.
This substantial sum includes a litany of questionable expenses: bonuses and allowances paid improperly, fuel allocations that lacked justification, various expenses without any supporting documentation, and public contracts where competition was allegedly simulated. Such practices inevitably raise serious questions about the effectiveness of internal controls and the overall culture of financial accountability within the institution’s management.
Judicial Referral and a Call for Reform
In light of these severe findings, the matter has been formally referred to Mali’s judicial authorities, specifically the Financial Public Prosecutor and the President of the Supreme Court’s Accounts Section. This action opens the door to potential administrative or legal sanctions against those responsible for the identified failures.
Beyond assigning blame, the audit serves as a stark warning about governance across Mali’s public institutions. The report issues specific recommendations for the Office du Niger’s Chairman and CEO, urging strict adherence to recruitment rules, respect for the organizational framework, and the prioritization of competence in appointments.
This moment could represent a turning point. For the citizens of Mali, the case underscores that genuine administrative reform requires more than just well-written regulations; it demands an unwavering commitment to integrity from public leaders and robust oversight from civil society. The path to restoring trust is paved with transparency and accountability.
Source: Africa Intelligence