MP Al-Tabtabaei finds several infractions in new Sabah Hospital ‘tender’ through the SAB reports

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Ashour submits parliamentary queries to oil minister

KUWAIT CITY, May 27: MP Omar Al-Tabtabaei found several infractions in the new Sabah Hospital tender through the reports of the State Audit Bureau (SAB); including the replacement of vital medical equipment listed under nonnegotiable items in the contract with toilet materials costing KD 7,000 to KD 9,000 per unit.

He clarified this adjustment was initiated by the contractor, not the ministry; indicating that the request was approved within five days only. He stressed the importance of this KD 179 million project as it is aimed at increasing bed capacity by approximately 620 beds, in addition to vital medical equipment which will drastically reduce the waiting period for patients. “I trust the minister of health and his undersecretary, but unfortunately, they trust their subordinates too much,” stated the MP while explaining that some officials under their command continue to violate the governmental structure.

He warned this will lead to harsh political questioning of the minister as State projects should be managed by the concerned ministry, not the contracting company. He intends to address the issue through parliamentary queries as an initial step, hoping the necessary measures will be taken prior to submission. In case the responses are inadequate; harsher procedures will follow, possibly an interpellation, for the matter at hand is considered misusage of public funds, he asserted. On the other hand, MP Saleh Ashour submitted parliamentary queries to Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Khaled Al-Fadel about the plan of Kuwait Oil Corporation (KOC) to build new oil refineries in Alberta, Canada.

He asked about the reasons for taking this step, especially since the most recent oil refinery investment attempt in Vietnam resulted in enormous losses for KOC. He wants to know why build refineries outside the country, the estimated cost of this endeavor, studies and reviews executed in this regard, and names of the executive company and consulting firm.

Furthermore, MP Mohammed Al-Hadiya criticized the decision of the Civil Service Commission to prohibit Kuwaiti government sector employees, who resigned or were terminated, from registering in the central employment system for a period of one year after ending their service.

He described the decision as a debacle that cripples those who seek improvement of their wellbeing, wondering why such an unconstitutional and negative decision was approved. He called on the government to address this issue as it affects the welfare of citizens

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff

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