A number of companies have been blacklisted for failing to complete government projects in the specified time period and noncooperation with authorities.

The blacklisted companies will not be able to compete for any project in the Kingdom, according to sources.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) too found that the companies were evading queries and failing to come up with satisfactory explanations for incomplete projects.

The ministries took this strict step and intend to apply other sanctions on these companies.

The Ministry of Water and Electricity was the first to punish companies that delayed government projects. It took three companies to task for failing to treat sewage and transfer water in some areas, in addition to delaying the maintenance of a building.

Nazaha had ordered the Ministry of Water and Electricity to open an investigation into the failure to develop water projects in Bisha, Abu Arish, Samtha and Sebia regions in Jazan Province.

The ministries explained that the company which was awarded a contract to implement water networks and establish pumping stations, walls and rooms for guards and make electromechanical and control arrangements within two years.

The contract was given in November 2008, but the project is incomplete.