Commission of Integrity uncovers corruption in Kirkuk power station project

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Federal Commission of Integrity has revealed significant suspicions of corruption related to a power station project in Kirkuk, involving expenditures of nearly 8 billion dinars.

The Commission announced the discovery of irregularities in a project for power line implementation, which cost over 7.5 billion dinars.

The alleged corruption pertains to the Central Committee for Review and Approval of Projects in the Governorate Diwan, which oversaw the supply of materials and the implementation of a 33 kV voltage feeder for the "Ma Mah" station.

This project included the construction of medium-range towers from the molasses production station.

The Government Media and Communications Office reported that violations included the procurement and installation of lighting for several areas: the entrance to "Alton Kopri" near the Hindi Bridge, the control area opposite the "Alton Kopri" electricity department, the roundabout and gardens near the airport fence, as well as the entrances to Leylan district and a new 11 kV feeder from the "Panja Ali" station.

Despite the existence of lower bids from competing companies totaling 6,106,383,000 dinars, the project was awarded at 7,630,000,000 dinars.

Further investigation by the External Audit Division in Kirkuk's Investigation Office revealed that the Director of the Audit Department and the Financial Member of the Central Committee had excluded lower bids from consideration under the pretext of not meeting the financial revenue rate.

The company ultimately selected had not met the annual revenue rate specified, raising concerns about the transparency of the tender process.

Additionally, the office highlighted another case of corruption involving the procurement of a "dermatome" device for burn treatment. The device, purchased by the governorate's health department, has reportedly not been operational since its acquisition due to technical issues, and the director of the inspection department failed to enforce legal measures.

The Commission's findings point to widespread corruption and mismanagement, raising serious concerns about the oversight and integrity of public procurement processes in Kirkuk.