VietNamNet Bridge – The Government Inspectorate has announced that it had found misuse of public funds totalling VND354 billion (US$16.8 million) in four public projects.

Among the 20 inspection reports still being finalised include the use of public funds and investment at the Electricity of Viet Nam, Agribank and the Viet Nam Rubber Group.

Announcing the agency's inspection results for the third quarter, Deputy Inspector General Le Tien Hao said the inspectorate has petitioned to revoke VND3.1 billion out of the misused for return to the state budget and asked relevant agencies and authorities to deal with the remaining amount.

The four projects include a project to renovate district-level hospitals and inter-district hospitals during 2008-10 implemented by the Health Ministry and People's Committees of Dien Bien, Lang Son, Thanh Hoa, Dak Nong, Tien Giang, Vinh Long provinces.

Another is a project related to using public funds for tourism infrastructure development by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism.

The other two projects deal with the implementation of civil cases within the responsibility of the Justice Ministry and a project on rebuilding and reconstructing classrooms and teachers' housing in the period 2008-12, implemented by various steering committees, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance.

At the press meeting, inspection officials also said the inspectorate was working to finalise progress reports on 20 inspections and it had begun implementing another seven cases.

Among the 20 inspection reports still being finalised include the use of public funds and investment at the Electricity of Viet Nam, Agribank and the Viet Nam Rubber Group.

Answering media inquiries, Deputy Inspector General Ngo Van Khanh said they were still working on the inspection report on the allegations of EVN's misuse of public funds for building villas, high-rise apartment buildings, swimming pools and tennis courts as part of its six electricity projects.

Khanh, however, refuted claims that these activities were related to the increase in the price of electricity, which was raised by 5 per cent in August of this year.

On Monday, authorities also released final investigation reports on the case of the former director of Viet Nam Maritime Administration, Duong Chi Dung, who was arrested last year and has been charged with "intentionally violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences" during his time at the loss-making company.

Under his leadership, a number of violations were made at the State-owned logistics company from 2007-10. One violation related to the purchase and repair of Floating Dock 83M. The initial cost was pegged at US$14.13 million but later skyrocketed to $24.3 million.

Originally built in 1965, it did not meet licensing or registration requirements which resulted in years of disuse.

The final investigation reports stated that he also used $1.6 million to buy two luxury apartments for his mistress, according to various media reports, and that this case would soon be on trial.

Source: VNS