In a third petition to top Chinese authorities, a leading hydrologist issues an urgent appeal for the design and construction of the Three Gorges project to be re-examined.
Experts urge action on dam problems that put lives at risk
Leading Chinese hydrologist Lu Qinkan has written a third petition to top authorities in Beijing, raising the alarm about three potentially disastrous problems related to the Three Gorges dam.
Prosecuting bribery in Lesotho
(September 5, 2003) "Lesotho is committed to completing these prosecutions, primarily in order to eradicate corruption in Lesotho. But also to set an example for other countries." – L. F. Maema, KC, the Attorney General of Lesotho.
Lesotho gets serious about corruption
(September 4, 2003) The Lesotho government has taken another step to show the world that it will continue to fight corruption after the bribery scandal involving millions of rand over the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
African adventure
(September 2, 2003) Multinational corporations have often viewed bribery as a distasteful but necessary part of doing business in certain countries – particularly underdeveloped ones.
Xiaolangdi Power Generating Units Facing Shutdown Amid Sedimentation
(September 2, 2003) Because of rising floodwaters and sediment buildup in the Xiaolangdi Dam reservoir, the hydropower station is now facing shutdown.
Experts warn China’s water supply may well run dry
(September 1, 2003) ‘Big engineering projects only make matters worse, causing us to reach the limits of our water resources. It is time to review our water strategy,’ says environmental consultant and author Ma Jun.
AfDB cancels projects in Nigeria over corruption
(September 1, 2003) Overwhelmed by complaints of failed water projects due to official corruption, the African Development Bank (ADB) has announced the cancellation of 80 per cent of its projects in the country.
Sweden powerless to influence Vietnam’s dam builders, says aid official
(September 1, 2003) A leading donor to Vietnam’s hydropower sector, the Swedish International Development Agency, has no power to influence its client-overnment’s dam building practice, according to a senior aid official.
A world of corruption
(September 1, 2003) Richard D. North, Media Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs, explores dishonesty, bribery, sleaze, fraud and graft around the world in Corruption, a four-part documentary which began on Monday, August 18, aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation. On Monday, Sept. 1, the series will look at the groundbreaking corruption trial underway in Lesotho, one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa. The CEO of a dam project, the biggest construction project in Africa, was found to have taken $2 million in bribes, which he’d stashed in a string of secret Swiss bank accounts.
Police To Question Consortium Execs
(August 30, 2003) Nine executives of the NVPSKG joint venture are expected to appear for questioning over irregularities in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment project in Samut Prakan next week.
Second multinational convicted of corruption in Lesotho
(August 29, 2003) German engineering contractors Lahmeyer International were fined more than $1 million (R10,6-m maloti) in the Lesotho High Court on Tuesday for bribery.
Third multinational charged
(August 28, 2003) Lesotho’s attorney general Fine Maema said a court date would be set for the prosecution of French construction company, Spie Batagnolles.
New policy to restore investor confidence in Lesotho
(August 27, 2003) "Once the international companies and the international community as a whole realize that there’s zero tolerance on corruption, then it clearly means that there’d be more investors coming to Lesotho." – Fine Maema, Lesotho’s Attorney General.
Lesotho to prosecute 15 more multinationals
(August 27, 2003) This comes after a German firm, Lahmeyer, was fined R10,5 million in the Lesotho High Court for bribery.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 