NIK report reveals waste of government money on unqualified consultants

In a report on the use of consultant and expert services by government offices, the Supreme Board of Inspection (NIK) has revealed that of the zl.67 million spent, 60% went to students and unqualified agencies. Of the nine ministries and twelve central institutions investigated by NIK inspectors, half were found to employ students who did not have adequate qualifications. The NIK also questioned the fees paid to qualified consultants, some of whom could expect to be paid as much as $200 to $300 for an hour's work. The NIK said that it does not question the skills of these experts, but wants to point out the huge costs of employing them. In another criticism, the report cites several examples of where consultants' independence could be called into question, since they had business links to projects they were overseeing on the government's behalf. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) A.K.