(VOV) – Transport Minister Dinh La Thang said the government is committed to ferret out all those involved in the recently uncovered transport project bribery schemes and impose strict penalties, regardless of their positions.
Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong reiterated the statement in an interview provided to a VOV reporter on matters related to the Japan Transportation Consultants, Inc. (JTC)’s bribing of Vietnamese transport officials.
DM Dong said that the bribery scheme and misappropriation of construction funds is a serious breach of the public trust and the Ministry of Transport is taking drastic measures to thoroughly examine all the projects and individuals which are suspected of any potential involvement.
Prior to Dong’s arrival in Japan to further investigate the case, under the direction Transport Minister Dinh La Thang, VOV reporter interviewed him on the issue.
Reporter: How did the Ministry of Transport react when JTC admitted that it offered more than JPY80 million (US$16 billion) in kickbacks to several Vietnamese transport officials?
Mr Dong: We initially received information from colleagues in the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japanese embassy in Vietnam late last weekend that something was amiss.
We took immediate action as this is an urgent and serious matter. The Ministry of Transport is undertaking drastic measures to examine all related units and verify responsibilities of the individuals who participated in the management of the projects in question.
Transport Deputy Minister Nguyen Ngoc Dong (first from the right)
We are also monitoring and reporting developments in the case to the Prime Minister along with other investigating agencies.
The ministry requested all individuals involved in management positions of oversight for the projects to prepare a report on their role in relation to the information received from the Japanese press.
Reporter: Several Vietnamese transport officials have asserted that they have not taken bribes. However, four rail officials have been suspended from work pending completion of a thorough investigation into the case. What is the viewpoint of the Ministry of Transport on the matter?
Mr Dong: Transport Minister Dinh La Thang requested strict punishment for those involved in the bribery scheme whoever they are and whatever their positions. This is the ministry’s direction for dealing with those who are related to the case as outlined in the Japanese press.
In addition, we will conduct independent investigations all staff who have participated in the management of the project from 2008 up to now, including those who moved on to other agencies and retired officials.
All individuals from the involved agencies will be suspended from work to focus on reporting and giving testimony to the Ministry. These activities should be completed on March 31.
Reporter: How have the ongoing urban railway projects been affected by the case in terms of the progress, what do you think?
Mr Dong: The Japanese press and colleagues report that the case in chief is associated with the national metro route No 1 stretching from Yen Vien to Ngoc Hoi.
However, JTC has also participated in other projects such as a project to upgrade some bridges on the north-south railway route. At present, we have assigned some relevant investigative agencies under the Ministry to examine all projects that JTC has got involved in.
Transport Minister Dinh La Thang has also issued a stop payment order on disbursements to some consultants and negotiations for payments on contracts in the second phase as well as stop accepting bids on the construction of a terminal at Ngoc Hoi Railway Station pending results of further investigations.
Reporter: Thank you.
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