TUNIS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia recorded over 1 billion dinars (about 350 million U.S. dollars) in financial losses at 11 public institutions and companies last year, according to an official report cited by the Tunisian presidency.
The Tunisian Court of Auditors, which oversees the proper management of public funds, released its annual audit report on Friday, revealing numerous irregularities.
In 11 public entities, total losses were estimated at approximately 1.07 billion dinars (nearly 369 million dollars). Among them are the airline Tunisair, whose losses were estimated at over 316 million dinars (about 111 million dollars), and the Office of Merchant Marine and Ports, whose losses reached nearly 291 million dinars (about 102 million dollars).
The identified wrongdoings include the payment of salaries, bonuses and allowances without legal justification, coupled with inadequate control and oversight mechanisms.
President Kais Saied stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, warning that corruption has become deeply entrenched in many parts of the state. ■