New York: The World Bank Group initiated 138 investigations related to various projects for the year ended June 30, with most of the cases pertaining to health, transport and water sectors.
However, the number of cases has come down marginally, compared to 152 for the year ended June 30, 2008.
In its annual report, the Integrity Vice-Presidency (INT), the investigative arm of the World Bank, has said it opened 138 cases for investigation in the fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 period).
"These cases were of varying complexity, ranging from allegations of straight forward one-time fraud cases to multi -jurisdictional matters in which several large corporations organised an intricate bid-rigging scheme," the report stated.
INT pointed out that the largest number of cases were initiated in the health, transport and water sectors.
In terms of regions, Africa accounted for the maximum number of cases at 36, followed by South Asia (34), Europe and Central Asia (28), in fiscal year 2009.
The report covers the World Bank Group's internal and external investigations and sanctions.
Moreover, the Group's Sanctions Board debarred 13 entities — preventing them from participating in future Bank Group- supported activities.
INT closed 153 cases in fiscal year 2009 and allegations were unfounded in 15 of them.
"Four of the 153 cases closed in fiscal year 2009 required no further action... INT expects that the number of cases that are closed as 'no further action' will remain low due to an increased effort to perform more thorough analysis during the complaint assessment stage," the report said.
INT has the mandate to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption in Bank Group-supported activities and allegations of significant fraud or corruption involving staff.
Bureau Report