Early Wake-up Call for the Construction Lobby
02/12/2008
Ljubljana, 12 February. As reported by RTV Slovenije and Delo among other media, an investigation into alleged criminal offences in connection with corruption and public tenders was revealed today as the police paid unannounced early morning visits to companies SCT, Vegrad and Primorje and allegedy temporarily detained 12 persons, including the Chairwoman of the Board of Vegrad Hilda Tovšak, Chairman of the Board of SCT Ivan Zidar and Chairman of the Board of Primorje Dušan Črnigoj. The investigation is said to have begun in 2007 and lasted several months before the wheels were set in motion today.
The public tenders won by the companies in question involve immense funds so any developments in connection with this investigation will be of pivotal interest to Slovenian media. Consequences could be both economic and political as light is shed on any part of the alleged network of corruption.
Binula said,
February 12, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Dirty plays…. 😉
pengovsky said,
February 12, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
They better have a good case against them (i.e.: this better not be political), otherwise they will be untouchable for another 20 years.
dr.filomena said,
February 13, 2008 @ 1:03 am
@Binula: Springtime Cleaning, huh?
@P: It will be interesting indeed to see to what degree this is political. It will inevitably involve politicians with corruptive behaviour being one of the the alleged crimes to have been committed. What remains to be seen is whether the motives for prosecution at this moment are purely of police nature or fueled by political interest itself. Especially in connection with Ljubljana Mayor in relation to the construction of the new football stadium.
As a Šiška resident all my life, I *do* find the wait for the tunnel a, well, life-long affair that is costing incredible amounts of money, some allegedly due to corruption as well… but I digress.
DougguoD said,
February 13, 2008 @ 1:04 am
Isn’t Slovenia close to Italy? Or is that just geographically?
DougguoD said,
February 13, 2008 @ 2:27 am
Tunnel?
dr.filomena said,
February 13, 2008 @ 8:49 am
@DougguoD: Do elaborate on that thought? I think I know where you’re going, but just to be sure. “Tunnel” is a good connection to make when speaking of Slovenia, Italy and construction lobby, though.
dr.filomena said,
February 13, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Ohh, I see now. Too early and I haven’t had coffee in exactly a week 😉 Takes time for Early Grey to kick in, eh? Anyway, the tunnel I talked about will connect the motorway coming into Ljubljana from Germany/Austria to the motorway ring around the city. Right now, there is a stretch of a regular four-lane road one has to take in between and it cloggs up terribly. As it happens, the four-lane road in question runs close to my home.
DougguoD said,
February 13, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Oh, they both work, dr.fil. I hope the tunnel isn’t being constructed using Mafia cement, though. It may be good for shoes but that’s about all.
As for the Early Grey, I’m sure you won’t miss the clogging up.
Vancouver’s traffic system isn’t, really. It’s a mess. I really don’t miss that ‘cept when I go there, then I can’t miss it…
If Slovenia wants to grow, so will the traffic. All in all, good for construction companies. Do they change their names as often as ours do?