“It is imperative to examine such information in order to verify the reality and hold those who fall short of (their responsibilities) accountable,” the king said in a cable sent to Muhammad Al-Sharief, president of the national anti-corruption body.

Earlier, Al-Sharief briefed King Abdullah on the complaints the commission had received from citizens in which they expressed their unhappiness over the negligence and flaws in extending utility services as well as in implementing some public projects, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday. The commission chief commended the king for supporting NACC and enabling it to fulfill its duties and responsibilities effectively.

Al-Sharief drew the king's attention to the reality of the observations made by the public after verifying them through field inspections conducted by the commission's engineers and inspectors.

“Implementation of many of the projects and rendering of utility services were not up to the best standard that the king emphasized on all occasions,” he said.

Al-Sharief stressed the fact that the responsibility of implementing public and utility projects is a collective responsibility of all concerned. “These projects should be completed strictly in line with the specified standards as well as the provisions of the signed contracts within the budgetary allocations. The national strategy to ensure transparency and combat corruption — with its concepts, goals and means — requires a comprehensive reform program,” he said, while noting that the program draws its strength from the cooperation of various government agencies, and participation of the members of the society and its institutions.

The anti-corruption body chief also called upon the citizens to inform NACC if they noticed any negligence or flaws in implementation of public projects or delay in utility services.