ARCEP Niger audit reveals 100 million CFA francs in overpayments

The Nigerien telecoms regulator, ARCEP, is under scrutiny following an audit that uncovered significant financial irregularities. According to reports, an investigation by the Inspection générale des finances and an organizational audit by a specialized firm found issues with the management of human resources at ARCEP. The audit revealed over 100 million CFA francs in overpayments, sparking concerns about the institution's financial management. The findings have raised questions about the effectiveness of ARCEP's governance and oversight.

The audit's findings are based on two separate reviews. The first was an administrative investigation by the Inspection générale des finances, initiated by Colonel-major Cheibou Idrissa, who was then director-general of ARCEP. The second was an organizational audit conducted by a specialized firm. The reviews examined the period during which Bety Aïchatou Habibou Oumani was in charge of ARCEP. The audit's results suggest that there were significant discrepancies in the management of human resources, including overpayments, irregular recruitment, and questionable professional classifications.

The audit found that over 100 million CFA francs were overpaid to employees, and that some recruitments were made without following proper procedures. Additionally, certain professional classifications were called into question, including the reclassification of some assistants from category G7 to category P1. These findings have raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of ARCEP's personnel management. The institution's new leadership will be expected to address these issues and implement measures to prevent similar irregularities in the future.

The new director-general of ARCEP, Moussa Zeïnabou Seyni, will be tasked with leading efforts to clean up the institution's management and ensure that public resources are protected. Transparency and rigor are expected to be key priorities for the new leadership. The audit's findings demonstrate the importance of effective oversight and monitoring of public institutions in Niger. The government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and that those responsible for irregularities are held accountable.

The audit's results have been welcomed by some as a demonstration of the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. The findings also highlight the need for ARCEP to strengthen its internal controls and ensure that its management practices are transparent and fair. The institution's leadership will be expected to take concrete steps to address the audit's findings and prevent similar irregularities in the future. This will require a sustained effort to reform ARCEP's management practices and ensure that the institution is accountable to the public.

The Nigerien government has faced criticism in the past for its handling of public finances, and the ARCEP audit's findings are likely to be closely watched by civil society and the international community. The government's response to the audit's findings will be seen as a test of its commitment to transparency and accountability. The ARCEP audit is just one example of the government's efforts to strengthen oversight and monitoring of public institutions, and to ensure that public resources are managed responsibly.

The ARCEP audit's findings have significant implications for the institution and for the broader public sector in Niger. The government's efforts to strengthen oversight and monitoring of public institutions are likely to continue, and the ARCEP audit is an important step in this process. The new leadership of ARCEP will be expected to take a proactive approach to addressing the audit's findings and implementing reforms to ensure that the institution is transparent, accountable, and effective in its management of public resources.

Key points

• The ARCEP audit found over 100 million CFA francs in overpayments and irregularities in personnel management.