The Public Procurement Office (ÚVO) has said it does not know how much time it will need to finish an audit of a controversial tender to select a service provider at the Construction and Regional Development Ministry.
ÚVO spokesperson Helena Fialová told the SITA newswire that "the audit focuses on the method used to award the contract, in other words, whether the law on public procurement was observed in the selection of a contractual partner for the subject of the announced procurement."
The Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) is also carrying out a probe at the ministry in relation to the controversial competition. This aims to examine the contract and its performance, reported director of NKU communication department and office spokeswoman Lenka Nosálová. The Supreme Audit Office will conclude its examination no sooner than the Public Procurement Office makes its results public. The NKU has asked the Construction Ministry for the necessary documents and its position regarding the tender in question.
The tender has been the subject of questions in parliament over allegations that a contract was unfairly awarded to companies close to Ján Slota, the leader of the Slovak National Party. The party, a junior member of the governing coalition, nominated the present construction minister. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
