A candidate for this fall’s Bogota mayoral race criticized the management of funds by two government bodies meant to improve the lives of children Thursday.
Mayoral candidate Carlos Galan expressed his concerns about a partnership between Colombia’s urban development bureau (IDU) and its children protection institute (IDIPRON) and their plans to spend $25 million.
The money, meant to improve infrastructure in youth areas, would ordinarily be spent by IDIPRON, but in 2009 the institution agreed to partner with IDU and outsource most of its work to the other agency.
Galan noted that the partnership has resulted in slower construction output. “This was done in order to provide opportunity to for young people and that’s fine, but in this agreement there are serious management problems such as advances, delays and outsourcing,” said Galan.
“In March, work should have increased by 34%, and it only increased by 24%,” added the candidate.
Galan also expressed his concern over $5.3 million IDU paid back to IDIPRON, $4 million of which has not been accounted for.
The candidate also pointed out IDIPRON’s outsourcing of work to the Friends of John Bosco Foundation, which he accused of being underequipped. “There is a lack of materials, inadequate machinery and equipment,” said Galan.
The IDU has come under fire recently for not completing contracts in a timely fashion. In May fiscal responsibility proceedings were launched against the former and current directors of the IDU after it was discovered that the agency had completed only 14 out of 41 projects that should have been finished this March.
