Inadequate Budget and Staff Shortages Hamper Anti-Corruption Efforts in Jordan

The Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC) in Jordan has expressed deep concern over its inadequate budget and staff shortages, citing the inability to effectively combat corruption in the country.

Budget Constraints Limit Investigations and High-Profile Cases

According to sources within the IACC, the agency’s budget has been severely restricted, limiting its ability to conduct thorough investigations and take on high-profile cases. “We are struggling to make ends meet,” said a senior official at the commission. “Our budget is not sufficient to allow us to do our job properly.”

Staff Shortages Impact Expertise and Resources

The IACC also faces significant staff shortages, with many positions remaining unfilled for months or even years. This has led to a lack of expertise and resources in key areas such as forensic accounting and legal analysis.

“These shortages are crippling our ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases effectively,” said the official. “We need more funding and more staff to tackle this problem head-on.”

Despite Challenges, IACC Achieves Some Successes

Despite these challenges, the IACC has still managed to achieve some significant successes, including investigating high-profile cases of embezzlement and fraud.

Systemic Issues Hamper Anti-Corruption Efforts

Critics argue that the commission’s efforts are hamstrung by systemic issues within Jordanian society. Wasta, or the use of personal connections to gain advantages, is widespread throughout the public and private sectors, and many politicians and officials have been accused of engaging in corrupt practices.

Accountability Issues and Media Restrictions Limit Progress

The IACC has also faced criticism over its inability to hold high-ranking officials accountable for their actions. In some cases, parliamentarians have refused to lift the immunity of sitting ministers suspected of corruption, making it difficult for the commission to investigate and prosecute these cases.

Additionally, the commission’s efforts are hindered by a lack of transparency and accountability within Jordanian institutions. The country’s media landscape is restrictive, with many outlets self-censoring or toeing the official line to avoid controversy.

Experts Call for Systemic Changes

Experts argue that true reform requires more than just an anti-corruption agency - it also demands systemic changes to the political and economic structures of the country.

“The IACC can do its job, but it needs support from other institutions and stakeholders,” said Karim Merhej, a former Nonresident Fellow at TIMEP focusing on corruption, socioeconomic inequality, and governance in Lebanon and Jordan. “Without these changes, we will continue to see corruption thrive in Jordan.”