The company, in its reply furnished to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), on Friday has claimed that the APCs were in good condition when they were supplied but became non-functional as Nepal Police failed to ensure proper maintenance and servicing of the vehicles as outlined in the contract agreement.[break]
“The problems in Sudan have occurred because the vehicles have been left unattended and decaying beside the salted waters of Port of Sudan and in extreme temperatures for a long time without daily, weekly and monthly services as required by APCs,” states a three-page document acquired by Republica late Friday. Once the vehicles were supplied to the Nepal Police Forces “they alone are responsible for their vehicles, not Assured Risks Ltd.”
The company has claimed that in an agreement signed with Nepal Police Head Quarters on September 27, 2007 for supplying 8 APCs for Nepal Police, it is mentioned that Nepal Police HQ would take the responsibility of transportating the vehicles. “The Nepal Police, instead of inspecting the vehicles and logistics, instructed Assured Risks to ship them immediately through letters, emails and phone calls,” states the letter furnished to the CIAA.
The company said it was not happy to find that no one had come to the Czech Republic to inspect the vehicles and receive full training on maintenance and operations which was fully paid for by Assured Risks Ltd. To prevent any misunderstanding in future, the company hired a third party to conduct the survey.
Following an approval from the survey company, the vehicles and logistics were shipped on August 12, 2008 and delivered on September 4 2008 at the Sudan Sea Port as requested by Nepal Police. The goods were delivered in good condition and almost five months after the delivery, the UN Section of Police Head Quarters had sent a letter of thanks on January 1, 2009 to Assured Risks, according to the company.
The CIAA had sought clarification from Assured Risks regarding the condition of APCs when they were supplied and the process through which the London-based company was paid.
Two investigation teams -- one led by lawmaker Pradeep Gyawali and another by home ministry officials -- had concluded that around Rs 300 million was embezzled while procuring the APCs and other logistics for Nepali peacekeepers. The source at CIAA said they will conclude the investigation shortly.
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