2024-11-12 15:01 update: 2024-11-12, 15:05
Photo PAP/Albert Zawada
In a recent audit, Poland's Supreme Audit Office (NIK) has found numerous irregularities and malpractices at the state postal operator, Poczta Polska, that led to the company wasting millions of euros.
NIK audited Poczta Polska's investments over the period between 2020 and 2023 that included purchasing automated postal boxes and sorting machines, as well as developing the company's new website and a transportation management system to support the flow of letters and parcels. The total value of those projects exceeded PLN 500 million (EUR 115 mln).
In the report published on Tuesday, NIK listed numerous instances of mismanagement in the form of delays in project execution or waiving due contractual penalties, which led to the overall loss of over PLN 113 million (EUR 26 mln).
According to NIK, the launch of 2,000 postal lockers planned for the end of 2022 is a particularly flagrant example of such wasteful management of company resources. The original deadline for the installation of the lockers was moved from February 2023 to the end of 2024. In June this year, only 243 such machines had been installed, but remained inaccessible to customers. Despite having been informed of the irregularities, the management of Poczta Polska did not exercise its right to terminate the agreement or charge the provider with due contractual penalties. Moreover, NIK found that the annexes and agreements regarding the extension of the deadline contained unfavourable terms for the company.
Similar irregularities were found in the context of the transport management system where despite a delay in its implementation, the contractor received an advance payment of PLN 7.8 (EUR 1.8 mln) instead of being charged up to PLN 2.4 million (EUR 0.5 mln) in contractual penalties.
NIK also mentioned lack of diligence in executing Poczta Polska's midterm strategy. According to the state auditor, the management approved guidelines that made the strategy unrealistic to implement, and once that became known, the company did not undertake any effective countermeasures.
NIK announced its plan to notify the prosecution about suspected criminal activity in the form of negligence and causing a significant financial loss to a company. A relevant notification has been also sent to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA).
Poczta Polska is a state-owned company, the biggest postal operator in Poland. It employs over 66,000 people and has 7,600 branches across the country. (PAP)
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