by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, April 15 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Well, even those few UN officials bounced for corruption are simply re-hired, and no one answers why.
Inner City Press today publishes this, from UNOPS whistleblowers:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee and Inner City Press Editorial Team,
We are a group of employees at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). In the absence of secure reporting channels within the organisation, we feel compelled to anonymously expose the widespread corruption, mismanagement, and misconduct that are undermining its integrity and stability.
In your capacity as a key media outlet, and given the crucial role Inner City Press has previously played in exposing corruption within the UN, we trust that you will contribute to holding UNOPS accountable...
UNOPS New Complaint and Evidence of the Failure of the Comprehensive Response Plan (CRP) Reforms: Project 22954-001 – Support for Post-Disaster Social Recovery and Infrastructure in Nicaragua --
a new formal complaint regarding the irregular, permissive, and financially harmful management of construction contracts awarded to ESINSA under Project 22954-001 – Support for Post-Disaster Social Recovery and Infrastructure in Nicaragua. > > This case highlights a serious accountability void in the chain of command of UNOPS Nicaragua, where internal and external control mechanisms failed to prevent and rectify a malpractice that ultimately affected the financial integrity of the project and its development objectives. > > See, Detailed complaint document for IAIG and Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of UNOPS > The three contracts signed between UNOPS and Espinoza Ingenieros S.A. (ESINSA) for contracts No. 1008803, 1008814, and 1008815. > The three Termination Agreements signed between UNOPS and Espinoza Ingenieros S.A. (ESINSA) for contracts No. 1008803, 1008814, and 1008815. > > The content of this complaint documents estimated minimum financial losses of USD 888,116.76, resulting from irregular contractual management and decisions contrary to the rules and procedures of UNOPS in the Nicaragua office. However, the most serious aspect of this complaint is not only the magnitude of the economic loss but what it represents: concrete evidence of the failure of the reforms implemented under the Comprehensive Response Plan (CRP), following the S3i scandal, as this has been reported and no serious actions have been taken to thoroughly investigate and define responsibilities regarding public resource management in a country, especially considering that this is a loan from the World Bank.
We'll have more on this
No explanation, from Guterres, Courtenay Rattray, nor Melissa Fleming, neither of whom have answered letters from pro bono law firms about applying free press principles (including Article 19) to the UN, and readmitting Inner City Press. We'll have more on this.
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