Bulgarian Bus Overturns in Turkey, 11 Injured Including 2 Bulgarians
A bus with Bulgarian registration veered off its path, resulting in 11 injuries, two of which are reported to be severe
Miscalculations involving the fence which is to be constructed along the Bulgarian-Turkish border are worth around BGN 4 M.
Bulgaria's Defense Ministry has written up the total sum, thus increasing it from BGN 5.1 M to BGN 9.664 M.
The data from a report by the Inspectorate at Bulgaria's Council of Ministers, cited by Bulgarian newspaper Trud, has confirmed claims that the fence was significantly overpriced.
Defense Ministry officials first added BGN 1.589 M to what had been put aside for the border fence, explaining the money was to be spent on salaries, insurance, and food. Incidental expenses worth 10% of the total sum further caused the price to swell.
Another 20% for delivery and storage of raw construction materials, 10% of "profit" and 20% VAT pushed it up and reached over BGN 9 M.
Auditors by the Inspectorate also found stunning examples of "miscalculations", with some BGN 120 000 written up for constructions of different border fence segments.
The reports suggests that the cost of materials needed for the fence be re-evaluated and that Defense Ministry take the additional BGN 1.589 M it requested from its own budget.
The document cited by Trud was prepared after Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski asked in February that a full financial audit be conducted by the Ministry of Finance and the Inspectorate at the Council of Ministers.
Before his request, he had some tough discussions with Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev and Defense Minister Angel Naydenov over the end price of the border facility.
Short afterwards, in an interview for Bulgaria's public broadcaster BNT, Naydenov had asserted that “each eventual misuse of money for the construction of the border fence will be considered marauding”.
Results of the financial audit, however, were delayed despite a promised deadline until end of February.
The 30 km fence at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey is expected to be complete this spring. The project drew criticism from the EU and the UN that this measure for limiting the access of refugees to Bulgaria violates international law.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
The Bulgarian National Assembly has unanimously voted in favor of a 30% salary increase for military personnel
Tensions in the Black Sea region have escalated, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as NATO announces plans to bolster its military presence, with a new base set to be established in Bulgaria
In a significant move towards bolstering security in the Black Sea region, the Turkish Parliament has ratified a memorandum paving the way for the establishment of a Mine Countermeasures Naval Group
Amidst escalating tensions in the Black Sea region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a message of solidarity to allies, emphasizing the unwavering support of the United States
Following Iran's drone attack on Israel, Bulgaria's government has reassured its citizens that there is currently no immediate threat to national security
Amidst discussions in the Bulgarian parliament, Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov has announced plans for a significant boost in military spending, aiming for it to reach 2.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP)
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022