Health Ministry tops new reports of corruption in 37 govt agencies
‘Nazaha’ points finger towards senior officials
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 18: While the concerned State authorities are working together to stop corruption, Kuwait AntiCorruption Authority (Nazaha) announced that about 90 new reports on corruption and suspicion of corruption in 37 government agencies were registered in 2020, reports Al-Qabas daily.
The daily obtained a copy of Nazaha’s recent report stating that the Ministry of Health registered the highest number of reported corruption and suspicion of corruption cases with 11, followed by the Ministry of Awqaf with six.
Nazaha received 12 suspicion of corruption reports involving different public institutions including the ministries of Electricity, Water, Interior, Public Works and Education; as well as Kuwait Municipality.
The ministries of Social Affairs, Information, Justice and Finance; in addition to the Public Authority for Food and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are included in the report as Nazaha is currently looking into two corruption and suspicion of corruption reports in each of these institutions.
Moreover, one report each was registered involving these institutions -- Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), Awqaf Secretariat, Ministry of Oil, Public Authority for Minors Affairs (PAMA), Planning Council, Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), Financial Observers Authority, Public Authority for Industry (PAI), Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA), Public Authority for Youth, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The reports included files confirming suspicions of corruption, as well as financial and administrative violations; indicating these crimes constitute more than 94 percent of the total number of reports.
On corruption-related reports based on job category, Nazaha revealed the directors of departments topped the list of suspicion of corruption
cases at a rate of 34 percent, followed by officials with the rank of assistant undersecretary with more than 15 percent. The other categories include the directors of various entities and their deputies.
The Minister of Health Dr Basel Al-Sabah has referred two ministry officials -- who received medical supplies through direct contracts without paying the suppliers -- to the Public Prosecution due to irregularities, suspicion of complacency and wastage of public money estimated at millions of Kuwaiti dinars in contracts with 19 companies for the provision of emergency medical supplies during the corona pandemic, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting reliable sources.
Sources disclosed the referrals came in the midst of confusion at the ministry after the State Audit Bureau (SAB) recorded comments regarding these contracts, citing Article 52 of Law No. 30/1964 on financial violations. Sources pointed out the ministry has expressed disappointment over this matter, as it was made to believe that the contracts were concluded in accordance with the legal frameworks and fair international prices.
Sources said these officials will pay the companies, which will definitely obtain their rights through the judiciary. Sources asserted the cost will increase in case the companies win the lawsuits that will be filed against the ministry, especially since the contracts were made as per its
request and official letters were sent in this regard.
Sources added the ministry referred its disputes with SAB over the alleged violations to the Dispute Resolution Committee in the Council of Ministers as it is in charge of resolving disputes between government agencies. Sources confirmed the committee has asked the ministry to provide the necessary information, but the latter has been slow in responding.
Post to 13 countries:
The Ministry of Communications recently announced the resumption of sending postal packages to 13 countries, after suspending it for almost one year due to the corona pandemic, reports AlQabas daily quoting a reliable source.
According to the source, the concerned officials in post offices and their branches received verbal instructions from the ministry to resume services for citizens and residents who want to send postal packages to 13 countries -- Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Philippines, Lebanon, Britain, Bangladesh, China, Jordan, India, Pakistan and Netherlands.
The source cited the re-opening of airlines as the most important factor in the resumption of sending postal packages, clarifying that receiving postal packages from abroad continued throughout the past period as the suspension was limited to sending
postal packages due to the pandemic. ❑ ❑ ❑
The Electricity Distribution Networks Sector in the Ministry of Electricity and Water is working hard to connect electricity to houses in Taima within the next two weeks, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources.
Sources confirmed the extension and electricity connection works are in full swing, affirming that efforts will be intensified next week to supply electricity to 500 families in the area.
In a related development, sources affirmed the launch of the electric connection works in the new Forensics building in South Surra next week after completing the operational tests in preparation for its full operation.
❑ ❑ ❑ Operetta cancelled: The Ministry of Education intends to cancel this year’s operetta as part of the national holiday celebrations due to the current health situation, particularly the repercussions of coronavirus which necessitate social distancing, reports Al-Rai daily quoting a reliable source.
The source also revealed that the KD 400,000 budget allotted for members of the work teams in charge of supervising and arranging the ceremony will be transferred on March 31, indicating this is considered a savings for the State treasury as it is not allowed to use the money for other projects.
Power supply soon: