Anti-corruption body sets sights on Tabuk flood projects

For the residents of Tabuk and environs, the recent flooding had a life-altering impact. For the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), however, it has become an opportunity to look into the disaster to determine the impact is “a consequence of malfunction or of an imbalance in government projects,” according to Muhammad Al-Sharif, the head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha).
Specifically, it is up to the anti-corruption forces to determine whether the anti-flood projects implemented in the region met the required standards.
Al-Sharif said that Nazaha sent its representatives to the region without informing anyone involved in the implementation of anti-flood works. The representatives will put together a report that will be submitted to the Commission.
The fight against corruption in the Kingdom is set to spread from border to border in the near future.
“Nazaha will open three branches during the year in Makkah, Asir and Eastern Province and then circulate the offices across all regions of the Kingdom,” Al-Sharif said.
Still lacking but very much needed are women’ branches, he said.
Al-Sharif stressed that the fight against corruption is not limited to government functionaries, but is a fight that must involve private citizens and the private sector as a whole.
“The ACC has called for all interested people and activists to cooperate and establish associations or institutions that aim to protect integrity and fight corruption,” he said.
Private citizens who cooperate by providing evidence and details of violations will be remunerated financially when the case is ultimately closed.
According to Al-Sharif, the entire government will be under the microscope. ACC will monitor the implementation of all orders and instructions pertaining to public affairs.
“This includes investigating administrative and financial corruption as well as investigating corruption in government tenders and construction and maintenance contracts,” Al-Sharif said.