Almost 900 Iraq reconstruction projects

unfinished

Posted Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:33pm AEST

A review of US-funded reconstruction projects in Iraq
has found that millions of dollars have been wasted because almost 900
separate projects have never been completed.
The reconstruction of Iraq has cost American taxpayers more than $107 billion.
An audit by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
shows that at least 855 contracts to help build schools, hospitals and
transport systems have never been completed because of excessive cost
or delays, poor performance or violent conditions.
The audit also says that many reconstruction projects were being described as complete or successful when they were not.
Danielle Brian, executive director of the watchdog group Project on
Government Oversight, said: "The report paints a depressing picture of
money being poured into failed Iraq reconstruction projects.
"Contractors are killed, projects are blown up just before being completed, or the contractor just stops doing the work."
US Aid, the body responsible for overseeing Iraqi reconstruction, has responded that the data base used is incomplete.
- BBC