The minister of Economy and Finance (MEF), lily arbelechefired at the authorities of the University of the Republic (Udelar) for refusing an audit by the Internal Audit of the Nation.
According to the head of the MEF, at Udelar they have misunderstood that their autonomy from the government enables them to reject an internal audit. The Organic Law of the University of 1958 establishes that the institution’s budget is set by the government every 5 years through the National Budget Law.
In an interview on Azul FM, the minister stated that Udelar has a budget “of about 550 million dollars”based on what was executed last year, which corresponds to “98.5% of the total assigned.”
“It is a very large budget and it would be good if it could really be allocated to what is really a priority. Here what matters is not only spending, but spending well“, expressed Arbeleche.
For the economist, in the National Budget it was explicitly established, based on some articles, “that the autonomy of Udelar refers to whether I want to give the chair to Marx oh Adam Smithbut not if it has to be audited or not,” he said.
The MEF has no suspicions regarding the management of Udelar
“There are no doubts regarding management”pointed out Arbeleche, but from the portfolio they seek to “see exactly how the resources are being used”, if they are allocated efficiently or if there is room to allocate them in another way, because “an audit always helps to manage better” he commented.
Faced with the recurring refusal, the head of the MEF requested responsibility from Udelar in the management of the resources assigned to it, since it “is money from all Uruguayan taxpayers.”
Source: Ambito
