The Audit Agency reports that, for this year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) was allocated a budget of nearly VND 3,700 billion, including VND 2,668 billion for regular expenditures and VND 1,028 billion for development investments. The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) confirmed that the total budget execution for the year amounted to nearly VND 3,270 billion.
The Ministry has effectively formulated and allocated its budget estimates, aligning them with the goal of streamlining the workforce and adhering to the timeline for reorganizing its structural apparatus. This approach enhances the autonomy of public non-business units.
Regarding development investment expenditures, SAV acknowledged MoNRE’s compliance with regulations on the sequence, timing, and approval process for medium-term public investment plans for the 2021-2025 period. The Ministry has also audited and approved the final settlement of 12 projects, with a total value of over VND 940 million.
Headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
However, SAV also identified several shortcomings in the formulation, allocation, and disbursement of the development investment and regular budgets for 2021.
Specifically, MoNRE failed to devise a plan for revenue and expenditure activities related to their occupational duties. They have also not established a scheme for utilizing fee-based sources of income. There were instances of budget estimates being inconsistent with reality, as well as the formulation of estimates for new tasks without prior approval, and delays in formulating and adjusting the budget.
Concerning regular expenditures, SAV noted delays in both the allocation and adjustment of budget estimates by MoNRE. Notably, the Ministry allocated VND 2.436 billion for salary expenses without the authorization of the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, they failed to allocate funds for the “Project to Build a National Database on Natural Resources and Environmental Monitoring.”
SAV recommended that MoNRE address financial matters totaling VND 25.8 billion and made additional recommendations amounting to over VND 3.2 billion. They also advised the Ministry to rectify limitations and shortcomings in formulating and allocating capital plans for development investments. MoNRE should adhere to the timeline for selecting contractors through the online network and address deficiencies in appraising and approving investment projects, as well as in designing and estimating project costs.
