Agricultural Institute did not properly manage projects worth over 700 thousand euros

The results of the audit show that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, respectively, did not manage the resources and development processes of information and communication technology projects to meet the goal of digitising them.

The ministry and the institute were ineffective and did not properly manage information technology projects, worth a total of 700,766 euros, not including TI professionals in planning and development of these projects.

The National Auditing Office report reports that two systems of 567,406 euros were developed for the same purpose, but despite spending these systems are not being used.

Moreover, the audience has noted that there were triple increases in the total cost value compared to the planned value. The TI structure remained undefined and regulations for internal organisation, role and functioning of the IBK were not updated. Due to the lack of proper investment planning, unnecessary expenses of at least 99,000 euros <x1) have been made under the examined contracts, the report said.

Furthermore, auditing found that the Institute has shortcomings in contract management, lack of professional TI production commissions.

Also accepted and adopted products that do not meet minimum technical specifications, according to the contract, and lack quality insurance tests.

In the Information Technology audit report “Information Systems Management at the Kosovo Agricultural Institute” for the period 2017-22 reportedly that information safety and the Plan for the continuation of business for TI projects were not addressed by the ministry or the Institute.

“Furthermore, no mechanisms have been provided for data storage and continuation of the functioning of information systems. There is a lack of physical access and protection from natural or man - made disasters. Exceptive copies of information systems are also missing, which significantly increases the risk of cutting the system and loss of data”, the report says.

In terms of this audit, General Auditor Vlora Spanca has indicated that based on audit evidence, in the field of information system at the Kosovo Agricultural Institute there is a lack of quality security, deficit in the system configuration, as well as in the security and continuation of the system.

“Not adequate management in the TI field in this Institute resulted in dysfunctional and non-useable systems that do not meet the purpose of buying and developing them, rather creating unnecessary expenses and budgetary damage”, Spain was quoted in the report.

As a result, with the goal of addressing identified issues related to managing information and communication technology systems projects in the IBK, the ZKA provided 15 recommendations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development.

Full report:

https://zka-rks.org/news/non-management-i-e-tech-se-information-institute-institute-of-Kosovos-cause-expension-to-ne-in need/