Twenty years of the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) in Haiti: an invisible institution in the face of corruption
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé participated this week in the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF). The event, organized around the theme "Twenty Years of Commitment to Good Governance and the Fight Against Corruption," provided the head of government with an opportunity to advocate for strengthening transparency mechanisms in the management of public finances.
But behind the official speeches and institutional celebrations, one question remains: what is the true record of the General Inspectorate of Finance after twenty years of existence?
A largely unknown institution
Created to carry out control, audit, inspection, and investigation missions across the entire public administration, the IGF was intended to be one of the main instruments for monitoring the use of public funds. Its mission notably includes the oversight of public investment programs, public procurement, public-private partnerships, and the management of state assets.
Yet, in the eyes of the Haitian public, the IGF remains largely unknown. Few citizens know it exists, let alone what concrete actions it has taken to combat corruption in the public administration. This is all the more troubling given that the last two decades have been marked by numerous financial scandals that have rocked state institutions.
Scandals revealed… by other institutions
Several corruption cases that have come to light in recent years were uncovered not by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), but by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). The IGF was completely absent.
For example, an investigation by the ULCC implicated former Planning Minister Aviol Fleurant in illicit enrichment. The investigation revealed an increase of over 75 million gourdes in his assets, representing a rise of more than 250% during his time in government.
In another case, the ULCC uncovered a major fuel embezzlement scheme at the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS). Of the more than 227 million gourdes spent on diesel purchases, nearly half of the consumption could never be accounted for.
Investigations have also revealed irregularities in several public institutions, including the Office of Citizen Protection, OFATMA and the Office of Immigration and Emigration, where practices such as fictitious travel, fraudulent contracts and embezzlement of public funds have been documented.
In total, some investigations have revealed losses exceeding 600 million gourdes for the Haitian state.
However, despite these revelations, the judicial results remain extremely limited: out of more than a hundred reports submitted to the courts by anti-corruption institutions, only a few convictions have been handed down.
One of the most corrupt countries in the world
This situation is reflected in international rankings. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, Haiti regularly ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world.
With a score of approximately 16 out of 100, the country ranks around 169th globally, far behind the majority of states in the region. This ranking underscores the magnitude of the challenge that oversight institutions are expected to address.
In such a context, the existence of bodies like the General Inspectorate of Finance should play a decisive role in the prevention and detection of financial abuses.
A report that raises questions
Twenty years after its creation, the IGF seems to be operating with relative discretion. Few public reports, few emblematic cases revealed, and an almost non-existent visibility in the public debate.
Sherley François
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