TI BiH calls to an urgent prosecution for malversations in the construction of the highway Banja Luka – Gradiska

Banja Luka, November 30, 2011 – Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) urges that the working results of determining the liability for malversations of the construction of the highway Banja Luka – Gradiska should be revealed to public, which was launched in 2009 by the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, and it has recently been passed to the jurisdiction of the Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Srpska.

On the opening day of the highway, where the attendance of public officials from the country and region is being expected, it is necessary to mention the report of the State Investigation and protection Agency (SIPA), including allegations which raise doubts over validity of the award of contract for the highway construction. Mr. Dodik, as a former Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, is suspected of abusing the office and his power for adopting the resolution on conclusion of the annex to the original contract. Unfortunately, during the opening of a new section of the highway, it has been forgotten that its overall construction is disputable and that all limits and costs for its construction have exceeded.

Therefore, on this occasion TI BiH urges the Government of the Republic of Srpska to Srpska to provide the public with information on the current total costs of the highway construction and on additional costs for the future planned works, considering the fact that regardless of the ribbon cutting and the opening of the section, the highway has not been completed yet.

On the other part, TI BiH asks for an urgent prosecution for serious malversations and criminal acts in the construction of the highway and the Government building to which SIPA and audit reports repeatedly have pointed out. Despite the fact that more than 140 million KM have been misused, the judiciary remains silent.