Passed seven years ago in government resolution #158, the goals were set to supply herder and rural families with 5,000 solar converters in 2000 as the first stage of the project and 45,000 units between 2001 and 2005. In the final stage the remaining 50,000 solar energy converters would be distributed in 2005-2010.

“However, only 740 converters, which is less than 20 percent, were supplied in the first stage, and 31,790 out of the planned 45,000 in the second. In our results, the first two levels were fulfilled with a performance rating of only 65 percent,” L. Javzmaa, the general auditor of Mongolia told MonInfo Thursday.

The auditing report stated that the performers of the project contributed the solar converters without making contracts for orders and also gave the items to families who were not supposed to receive the expensive equipment. Solar converters were distributed to the center of Bayan-Ulgii province and other soums without any receipts or documentation, which auditors said made it impossible for them to know if families actually ever received the government purchased items. Also, some MP’s trustees took energy converters from the project and contributed them by themselves, when in fact the converters needed to be contributed through the office of parliament, auditors said.

“Some of the funds for the project have been spent for non related purposes, and some repayment loans have not been repaid,” Javzmaa said.

In total, MNT 465.3 million was funded from the state budget for the “100,000 Solar Houses” project implementation from 2001-2005, according to the report made by the National Auditing Office. But in the results of the financial reports and receipts from the project officials, there were several breaches such as MNT 8.8 million spent for the lightning outside of the former Ministry Infrastructure building.

Moreover, officials from the Auditing Office said that there were no independent inspections made on the project in the last six years.

“From the results of these breaches, we have submitted recommendations on more attentive performance to the related organizations and officials. Additionally, we have submitted our demand to the provincial governors for compliance,” said Javzmaa.