ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF NATURE PROTECTION SHOWS 226MLN AMD VIOLATIONS IN 2006-2007

ARKA
Jan 14, 2009

YEREVAN, January 14. /ARKA/. Inspections conducted at the RA Ministry
of Nature protection revealed violations to the amount of 226mln AMD
in 2006-2007, with the ministry’s budget being 5.2bln AMD.

Chairman of the RA Supervisory Chamber Ishkhan Zakaryan reported that
most of the violations involve waste of budgetary funds, and 63mln
AMD violations were committed in the implementation of programs.

Zakaryan pointed out that the most serious violation involved the
purchase of a hydrological vessel. Its customs value was 79.9mln
AMD. Later, when the deal was officially registered at the Ministry
of Nature Protection, a much higher cost of the vessel was indicated –
153mln AMD.

Zakaryan also pointed out a program of purchasing hydro-meteorological
equipment for a weather station in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. A total of
31.7mln AMD were spent on the equipment, but no premises are available
for the installation.

This is an important program, and it is at least strange that the
fact of premises for the equipment lacking was established after the
purchase, Zakaryan said.

Another glaring example of misuse of budgetary funds is the
construction of moorages on Lake Sevan. A total of 30mln AMD of
budgetary funds were allocated for the project.

Zakaryan said that, after the funds were allocated, the Government
received a small booklet i nstead of a draft project.

"The funds were utilized, but no result was produced," Zakaryan
said.