The commission of inquiry constituted by the municipality to examine the biddings for supplying Chisinau schools and kindergartens with food products ascertained that the cooking facilities of kindergartens Are in a deplorable sanitary situation. The working group’s head Mihai Moldovanu, in hearings held by the Chisinau Municipal Council, said spoiled products and infected fish continue to be delivered to a kindergarten in Ciocana district, IPN reports.

Mihai Moldovanu said surprise inspections were carried out at preschool education institutions in four districts. The institutions in Centru district are yet to be examined. It was established that the documents at most of the institutions are in order, but problems are experienced in the distribution and receipt of food products. The managers of a number of kindergartens periodically informed the district education divisions about the incongruities witnessed when the products reached kindergartens, but the same suppliers continued to be chosen as winners at biddings during many years.

According to the head of the working group, they identified cases when kindergarten managers solved the problems on the spot when they identified irregularities, without reporting them to district education divisions, and asked that the company replaced the products. “As regards the sanitary situation at cooking facilities, there is a disaster at all the kindergartens. The blocks do not meet the hygienic standards. All the equipment is worn-out and a fire can anytime start,” stated Mihai Moldovanu.

He noted that spoiled products and infected fish continue to be supplied to a kindergarten in Ciocana. The director insisted that the product should be replaced, but met with resistance on the part of the district division and the supplier. The contract with this company is valid until this yearend and cannot be terminated before time.

Moldovanu also said that all the officials in charge were warned not to choose companies with tainted reputation at biddings. The functionaries argue that the public procurement law provides that the company that submits the lowest price is designated winner. This is not so as the law stipulates that the best price must be chosen, but by taking into account the quality of products.

The inspections go on. The commission of inquiry will presents its conclusions in mid-December.