The Czech Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) has been accused of breaking the law in 30 public tenders launched between 2010 and 2013. The country’s supreme control office (NKÚ) reviewed 100 tenders launched by ŘSD during this period, totaling CZK 4.5bn, and found numerous inconsistencies. NKÚ pointed to the construction of a bridge in Mohelnice, for example, which ŘSD cut into two parts and launched two separate tenders for even though it only had one construction permit and one general contractor. NKÚ claims that ŘSD wanted to cut the contract into smaller parts in order to address a particular construction company. In 15 tenders reviewed, NKÚ says that ŘSD reduced the number of competitors by laying down stricter conditions that weren’t in line with tender rules. The new director of ŘSD, Jan Kubiš, who was appointed in April, told ČT24 he is currently conducting internal audits.
