LONDON: UN officials in Iraq are demanding bribes from companies in exchange for help securing reconstruction projects for the country, the Guardian newspaper reported on Monday.
The paper revealed allegations of corruption within the United Nations Stability Fund, which was established in 2015.
The facility is supported by the United Nations Development Programme, with approximately $1.5 billion in funding from 30 donors, including the UK government.
Because Iraq has a serious corruption problem, it operates directly away from the government in Iraq.
However, The Guardian, in interviews with “more than 20 current and former UN employees, contractors, Iraqi and Western officials,” found that the United Nations had “resolved the bribery that has permeated Iraqi society since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003.” He said that it became clear that he was caught up in “culture.”
The interviewees, all on the condition of anonymity, said UN employees maintain “generous salaries” and “collude with financially benefited government officials to identify new projects” and many more. He described how progress reports are often “disguised” to justify requests for funding. This line.
Seven people interviewed said UNDP officials had confirmed that they were being asked to pay bribes of up to 15 percent of various contract values in return for help navigating the program’s contract bidding system, the paper said. .
One contractor told the Guardian: Nothing in this country comes without paying. ”
UNDP officials told the newspaper that everything was done directly to avoid detection, and that the deals were backed by wealthy and powerful Iraqis (often with ties to the government), who were also involved in the project. He said he is receiving a share along with other government officials selected to oversee the project. implementation.
UNDP has a “zero tolerance for fraud and corruption,” it said, adding: “This policy applies equally to UNDP staff, as well as other staff, vendors, implementing partners, and persons responsible for working with UNDP.
“Allegations of bribery, corruption and fraud will be thoroughly assessed and, if necessary, investigated by UNDP’s independent Audit and Investigation Department.”
The Guardian reported that large sums of UNDP funds were found to be spent on layoffs and huge overhead costs, and interviewees said the program was trying to justify its existence and help the government rebuild the country. He said it was stretching far beyond its original authority to cover for failures.
The Guardian also claimed that UNDP claimed responsibility for improvements in Iraq carried out by other organizations, stating that in 2017 damaged health facilities in the north of the country were repaired by other benefactors and that UNDP subsequently transferred funds to the annex. The report cited examples in which the United States claimed responsibility for improvements in Iraq, citing examples of its accomplishments. It remained vacant for the next two years. UNDP claimed that the new facility has served thousands of Iraqis.
The Stabilization Funding Facility received approval from donors to continue for another two years, even though some donors admitted they had struggled to figure out funding.
Interviewees said the facility lacked “strategic coherence” and participants attended UNDP training workshops and schemes to receive free benefits.
One whistleblower said: “UNDP just wants to burn money and show donors that they are conducting workshops.”
Another said UNDP’s plan to teach Iraqi women to sew was “trying to create an economy that didn’t exist.” It felt like we were back in the Middle Ages. ”
UNDP told the Guardian that its plan was based on local needs after full consultation with local communities, but five interviewees said it did not reflect reality. Ta.
One consultant said: “Many of these documents are primarily for his PR purposes. When you actually go to these states and sit down with the recipients of the funds and see the projects in person, you read these reports and feel… It’s very different.”
One Western diplomat said high turnover of embassy staff made official oversight difficult.
“Everyone stays for just two years and by the time they figure it out, they’re gone,” the diplomat said. “That’s how these programs survive year after year.”
An adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani told the Guardian: “We will be in contact with the highest authorities of the United Nations to discuss the details of these allegations, investigate them and refer those involved in corruption to the competent authorities.” I will reconsider. ”