News stories

News items on corruption issues and measures to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in the water sector from IRC's newsletter Source Weekly.

Albania: World Bank debars fraudulent firms involved in water project

07 Apr 05

The World Bank has named and debarred 5 individuals and 6 firms for collusive practices in relation to the World Bank-financed “Water Supply Urgent Rehabilitation Project” (WSURP).

Corruption: focus on construction and post-conflict reconstruction

21 Mar 05

Transparency International's Global Corruption Report 2005 includes a special focus on construction and post-conflict reconstruction. The report includes water sector examples from Africa and China.

Europe: convention on access to environmental information ratified

08 Mar 05

On 17 February 2005, the European Community ratified the Aarhus Convention, considered to be “the world’s most far-reaching treaty on environmental rights”.

Acodal and pipe makers sign “no bribery” deal in Colombia

23 Feb 05

Colombia's environmental and sanitation engineering association, Acodal, and the principal manufacturers of pipes in the country are to sign an agreement to combat bribery.

Sierra Leone: SALAWO boss accused of corruption

07 Feb 05

The General Manager of the Sierra Leone water company, SALAWO, is accused of “blatant misappropriation of funds meant for the development of the water sector”.

Bechtel and Biwater join anti corruption drive: critics are not impressed

07 Feb 05

Water-related multinationals are amongst 62 companies at the World Economic Forum who signed up to a zero tolerance campaign against bribery and corruption. But Bechtel and Biwater are both under fire from anti-globaisation and anti-privatisation groups.