Audit report criticizes poor preparation for rainy season and many other flaws

Police discipline 3 children for raising hand on mother

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: A citizen’s report issued by the State Audit Bureau criticizes the poor planning of projects, conflict of jurisdiction between government institutions, and incompetence in executing projects, as well as flaws in relation to legislation, tendering and oversight, reports Al-Qabas daily.

It said the flaws exposed in the aftermath of heavy rain were due to poor planning, weak preparation for the rainy season and multiple liable parties.

The report titled “Proper Oversight for New Kuwait” highlighted five most important issues - flying gravel, floods in Fahaheel area, Sabahiya, South Sabahiya, Sabah Al-Ahmad residential area, and the tunnels in Mangaf area, and the repercussion of the rains.

The bureau revealed that the debt owed to the government stands at KD 1.3 billion, liable on six government institutions, most notable being Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Electricity and Water, and Ministry of Oil.

The report praised the cooperation of several government institutions, particularly the Amiri Diwan, National Assembly and the Council of Ministers.

It stated, “There are financial violations committed by the government bodies which lead to disciplinary arbitrations. The root cause of these violations is negligence or oversight which leads to loss of public funds. There are 156 cases with the disciplinary committee – 34 for independent institutions, 101 for the ministries and 21 for companies”.

The report stressed that the decisions issued by the disciplinary committee included investigating 407 individuals from independent institutions, 92 individuals from affiliate institutions, 286 individuals from the ministries and 47 individuals from companies.

It added, “These decisions convicted 49 individuals, acquitted 56 individuals, and dismissed cases for 29 individuals. Three cases were referred to the relevant judiciary circle, and only a case was suspended”. In a strange case, and what is believed to be the first of its kind, the customs officers have seized about 127 kilos of counterfeit coins in the 100 fils denomination equivalent to 2,000 dinars, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The customs department suspected the contents of the sea freight parcel coming from an Asian country and after opening, the coins were found.

A customs source said it is difficult for a non expert to distinguish between the genuine and counterfeit coin.

Director-General of the General Administration of Customs Counselor Jamal Al-Jalawi has praised the vigilance and efficiency of all customs officers and their determination to put an end to smuggling attempts of all kinds.