Kathmandu, Jan. 17
An Anti-Fraud and Corruption
training was organised in Kathmandu from 15-17 January to equip Millennium
Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) staff with the knowledge and skills to
prevent, detect and remediate the risk of fraud and corruption in the execution
of the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
MCC Compact is a
USD 630 million programme that aims at developing large Nepal-India
cross-border transmission lines and rehabilitate strategic roads. The programme
is financed by the United States and Nepal with $500 million and $130 million
respectively.
US Ambassador to
Nepal Randy Berry had inaugurated the programme where he highlighted the progress
Nepal has made in the control of corruption and recalled this as one of the
indicators that helped the country qualify for the Compact.
He also expressed
his belief that the projects under the US grant would be delivered in an
environment free from corruption and fraud.
Shree Krishna
Nepal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, reiterated the commitment of
the government towards good governance, and emphasized the importance of a
corruption free working environment to foster economic growth in the country.
Richard Messick, Senior Anti-Fraud and Corruption Advisor to
the MCC, and Christopher P. Williams, Senior Director for Anti-Fraud and
Corruption at the MC were the resource persons in the three-day comprehensive
training.
Khadga Bahadur Bisht, the Executive Director at MCA-Nepal
and Troy E. Kofroth, the Resident Country Director at MCC, were also present in
the training.
The Nepal Compact will be implemented in line with Nepal's
anti-corruption and fraud related regulations, and additionally, MCA-Nepal will
also follow MCC’s Policy on Preventing,
Detecting and Remediating Fraud and Corruption in MCC Operations.
The policy prohibits any fraud and corruption, which
include acts of coercion, collusion, corruption, fraud, and obstruction of
investigation into allegations of fraudulent or corrupt practices, in the solicitation
and use of MCC funds.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 January 2020. 
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