Nazaha refers 123 projects to Saudi attorney general for violations

Saudi Arabia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has referred at least 123 projects suspected of various violations to the attorney general for further investigation and legal action, Makkah newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources.

Nearly 50 of the 123 projects were suspected to corruption, while 73 pertained to other violations, the sources said.

Nazaha checked 161 major development projects, with a combined cost of more than SAR 387 billion during the fiscal year 2016-2017. The Commission also scrutinized 53 projects that have entered the execution phase, the report said.

Ministry of Transport had 24 projects suspected of violations – the maximum among all departments inspected. The Ministry of Education followed with eight such projects.

Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs had seven suspected projects, while the projects of 10 other ministries and government departments were noted for violations other than corruption.

About 45 percent of the projects checked by Nazaha were called out for violations such as disregarding government rules for purchases, the sources said.

On the other hand, 24 percent of the projects were found free of any violations.

Other violations included not offering or placing the project on time, delay in handing the project site to the contractor, and not preparing blueprints before the project is tendered.