VERBAL orders (VOs) have been commonly used by ministers to streamline work in Egypt over the past three decades. But a recent case, in which a former housing minister is suspected of alleged graft, has triggered an administrative and legal debate about VOs, which have got many top officials in trouble. The case against Mohamed Ibrahim Suleiman has shed light on the complexity of the verbal ordering process, which has become a golden gate for corruption in Egyptian ministries, an administrative expert says. "VOs are usually made by the ministers to cut through the red tape that impedes the implementation of projects, the sale of land, the signing of long-term contracts and giving bank loans worth billions to those who deal with the ministries," explains the expert, who asks not to be identified. But, when such activities prove to be illegal, or faulty, the Minister – like what is happening in the Suleiman case – would deny making such a VO, thereby putting other officials in legal and administrative hot water, he adds. Suleiman, who served as Housing Minister for 12 year, is being quizzed for allegedly selling large plots of land to his family members and businessmen and assigning private-sector construction companies to build apartment blocks and villas through VOs. Investigations have shown that such transactions were illegal, because the prices and costs were far below the actual market prices. Suleiman, however, vehemently denies having given any verbal orders. "From a legal and administrative point of view, VOs need to be authenticated in writing to secure officials against any future trouble that may arise if the activity proves to be wrong or illegal," he stresses. “All verbal orders must be promptly dated, timed and signed by the Minister and his officials, to avoid any future legal problems,” said the former head of the Business Enterprises Sector, Mukhtar Khattab. "Authentication clarifies and reinforces current regulations concerning minimising the use of verbal orders and officials who may accept them," he said. It is also important for officials to review and understand all administrative laws when they implement a minister's VOs, Khattab added. "Government regulations outline specific requirements at the ministerial level for the acceptance and authentication of verbal orders," he said, stressing that there must be a law banning VOs in ministries. Khattab also recommends developing a standard administrative procedure to replace VOs in all governmental agencies. Ibrahim Fawzi, the former Industry Minister, says that senior administrators agree to carry out a minister's VO, which is illegal, in order to keep their job. He advises senior Government officials and administrators not to take the risk of accepting a VO, because it might be wrong or against the law. Fawzi has highlighted the need for a law to ban the use of verbal orders, in order to avoid serious administrative and legal errors in the future. "When the verbal order is given, the official should immediately write it down with great accuracy and have the minister sign it to avoid any future problems. This process has proved to be sustainable and reliable," stresses Fawzi.
