Supreme Audit Office says metro extension project could not be properly audited

Representatives of the Supreme Audit Office are pushing for broader powers for the bureau, saying an audit of a recent construction project extending Prague’s A metro line could not be properly conducted. Jana Gabrielová of the office’s communication department told the Czech News Agency on Monday the office has been unable to check how most of 27.1 billion crowns were spent (noting the project increased from an original 22.6 billion). Some of the cost was covered by European funds, but the EU subsidy had not yet been paid when the audit was being conducted. The head of the Supreme Audit Office, Miloslav Kala, called it “incredible” that such a large amount of public money was not subject to external control. At the end of June, the government´s Legislative Council approved a draft amendment to the law aiming to extend the bureau’s powers.

Author: Jan Velinger