U.S. warns $11 billion for reconstruction in Afghanistan could be lost due to inadequate planning in Afghanistan

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U.S. warns $11 billion for reconstruction in Afghanistan could be lost due to inadequate planning in Afghanistan

2011-01-26 22:59:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Arnold Fields on Wednesday warned that inadequate planning for Afghan army facilities could lead to massive losses.

Fields made the comments in the 6th of a series of SIGAR audits focused on anti-corruption in Afghanistan, a critical dimension of the overall reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. The report is entitled "U.S. Reconstruction Efforts in Afghanistan Would Benefit from a Finalized Comprehensive U.S. Anti-Corruption Strategy".

The audit released by Fields found that $11.4 billion is at risk due to inadequate planning for the construction of nearly 900 Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) facilities. "SIGAR initiated this audit when our auditors found that the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) could not provide the plans or justifications for the ANA facilities being built across Afghanistan," said Fields. In previous audits, SIGAR auditors had attempted to determine how CSTC-A had developed the size, location, and use of ANA garrisons in Kunduz, Gamberi, and Farah.

CSTC-A reports that it has provided or plans to provide more than $11.4 billion through fiscal year 2012 for the construction of 900 ANSF facilities. In addition, up to $800 million may be provided for operations and maintenance over the next 5 years. Facilities are needed to house expected increases in ANSF personnel strength, planned to reach 305,600 in October 2011. According to CSTC-A, this number may go up to 400,000 in October 2013.

The audit report found that CSTC-A had not prepared a long-range capital construction plan that supports its strategic objectives and meets the Afghanistan government's security objectives. "A long-range capital construction plan would improve CSTC-A's accountability over ANSF facilities construction that will continue through 2012 and beyond," Fields said.

Without an ANSF facilities plan that reflects current requirements, Fields believes that CSTC-A puts its $11.4 billion ANSF facilities construction program at risk, including building facilities that are said to be inadequate for the projected ANSF personnel end-strength or do not meet the ANSF's strategic and operational needs.

As the auditors noted, such planning documents are critical to CSTC-A to ensure that it can adapt plans to changing requirements, prioritize resources, achieve its strategic goals, and avert potential waste. The auditors also pointed out that other U.S. departments and agencies have prepared long-range capital plans.

The U.S. State Department, for example, has done so for its worldwide embassy construction program, according to Fields. Best practices, such as those espoused by the Government Accountability Office and Office of Management and Budget, also indicate that long-range plans help control costs.

In prior audits, SIGAR auditors had also found that CSTC-A does not have a long-range maintenance plan for the ANSF facilities it is building. The United States has awarded two contracts for a total of $800 million to cover operations and maintenance for more than 660 sites, potentially through 2015. However, according to CSTC-A's 2008 Campaign Plan, sustainment costs may continue through 2025.

SIGAR auditors recommended that the Commanding General of CSTC-A develop a long-range planning document that provides updated requirements and justification for all ANSF facilities to meet CSTC-A's projected 400,000 ANSF personnel in 2013.

SIGAR auditors also recommended that CSTC-A's Commanding General develop a long-range operations and maintenance plan for all ANSF facilities linked to its construction plan.

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