The PMO has also cautioned Home Minister Bhim Rawal and officials at the home ministry to strictly follow the provisions of Public Procurement Act while procuring the APCs and other logistics for the mission.[break]
According to a report prepared by a joint team of home ministry officials and lawmakers, the lives of Nepali peacekeepers in Sudan are in danger as they are carrying out duties without any APCs.
“Don´t take any decisions in haste. Ensure transparency and follow open bidding process while procuring APCs, security equipments and logistics for the mission,” a source quoted Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as saying.
The prime minister also asked Home Minister Bhim Rawal and home ministry officials to consult with Procurement Office, NVC and other stakeholders while purchasing APCs.
PM´s instructions to Minister Rawal comes a day after State Affairs Committee (SAC) of parliament directed the government and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to immediately take action against those involved in the Darfur scam and also supply APCs to the mission.
The investigation team led by lawmaker Pradip Gyawali had concluded that around Rs 300 million was embezzled while procuring APCs and other logistics for Nepali peacekeepers two years ago.
“The prime minister also expressed concern over why those involved in the Sudan scam were allowed to go scot-free,” the source told Republica.
According to the source, Home Minister Rawal said at the meeting that he wanted to supply APCs and other logistics to the mission by amending related laws at the earliest.
“Those attending the meeting also advised MoHA officials to follow competitive and open bidding process in the procurement of APCs,” source added.
Home Minister Rawal, Finance Minister Surendra Pandey, Chief of Nepal Police Ramesh Chand Thakuri, Chief of National Vigilance Center Tana Gautam and officials from the Office of Public Procurement attended the meeting.
The parliamentary committee on Tuesday had directed the government to immediately implement its previous instruction to the Prime Minister´s Office (PMO) and the Home Ministry to expedite the process for procuring the APCs, security vehicles, equipments and other logistics needed for Nepali peacekeepers.
Sudan is holding a referendum on January 9.
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