The Inquiry Committee has requested an extension to complete the investigation of the costs behind the “militarised sculpture composition” in Kadaga, as TV3 was told by Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.
In the term initially provided to complete the investigation it was possible to complete an interim report, in which the committee stated that this project was in the works for years. The composition was initially planned to be smaller; its costs were estimated at EUR 20 000 three, four years ago. Since then, however, the costs have reached an astounding EUR 183 000.
According to the minister, the costs grew largely because of landscaping work, which is where most of the money went. The “composition” itself cost around EUR 30 000.
Sprūds repeated that the situation raises questions about the proportionality of the costs on the part of the National Armed Forces. The public has reason to doubt the cost-effectiveness.
When asked to name those responsible, Sprūds refrained from doing so, explaining that the situation came as a result of multiple factors and actions of people.
LETA previously reported that a decommissioned CVR (T) armoured personnel carrier was put on a concrete pedestal in the form of a “militarised sculpture composition” outside of Latvian National Armed Forces base in Kadaga. This composition cost approximately EUR 183 000.
On the 11th of October the Minister of Defence initiated an investigation into the whole story with the APC on a pedestal outside of the military base in Ādaži. Sprūds admitted it was an act of misuse of financing.
In parallel with the investigation, Sprūds has commissioned the development and implementation of improvements in the field of procurements related to construction and their monitoring in the defence sector. An audit of existing projects was requested as well.