In a recent development, two deputy mayors of Aïn Zaouia's communal council, Mohamed Saidani and Hamid Nezlioui, have publicly denounced the finance commission head's behavior, citing a lack of transparency and accountability. The two officials, who are also members of the finance commission, claim that the commission head has failed to respond to their requests for information, despite their right to oversight as per the communal code. This move has sparked concerns about the management of communal finances.
The dispute centers on several key issues, including the commission head's refusal to provide the deputy mayors with lists of communal assets, which are necessary to determine revenues and non-payments. Specifically, the 2020 budget plan (BP 2020) had foreseen 1.461 million Algerian dinars in revenue, but the deputy mayors claim that they have not been given access to the relevant information. Furthermore, they have raised questions about the transportation of schoolchildren, for which a revenue of 300,000 dinars was budgeted, but which has been provided free of charge, rendering the budgeted revenue unrealistic.
The two deputy mayors have also highlighted what they see as unnecessary expenditure, citing the case of two public officials who had refused to report to work, but were nevertheless maintained in their positions by the council president, without any apparent expenditure being incurred by the council. The deputy mayors have requested documentation, including invoices and contracts related to school canteens and equipment purchases. They have also distanced themselves from any potential mismanagement of communal revenues and expenditures.
In their statement, the deputy mayors also mentioned that several requests for information, including those related to the management of the communal park and housing regularization, have been left unanswered. The situation has raised concerns about the level of transparency and accountability within the communal council.
When contacted for comment, Aïn Zaouia's mayor, Ali Amrani, stated that as president of all commissions, he was not aware of any issues with transparency, adding that the two deputy mayors, as members of the finance commission, should have had access to all necessary information. He suggested that they should have sought clarification during assembly meetings rather than through written correspondence.
The secretary general of the communal council has also weighed in on the issue, arguing that elected officials have no right to address written requests to one another, and that all information is made available during assembly meetings, which are open to the public. He emphasized that the council has nothing to hide and that any concerns should be directed to the council president.
The dispute highlights the challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in local governance in Algeria. The situation in Aïn Zaouia underscores the need for clear communication and robust oversight mechanisms to prevent conflicts and ensure that public funds are managed effectively.
Key points
- Deputy mayors of Aïn Zaouia accuse finance commission head of irresponsible behavior
- Dispute centers on transparency and accountability in communal finances
- Concerns raised about management of communal revenues and expenditures
