However, the auditors noted come shortcomings in the justification of initiated procurement procedures. An example: in the opinion of the SAO the spending of 583,321 kroons on informing about the air quality in the central part of Tallinn under a contract awarded in 2002 was not justified.
Also, procurement procedures had been initiated for granting funds to companies dealing with environmental issues. This means the said procedures were used to finance expenses, which the companies should in fact bear themselves. An example here is the tendering for updating the quality systems of the companies Tartu Keskkonnauuringud and Eesti Keskkonnauuringute Keskus. The companies should have paid for this work themselves. The Ministry stated that in return the said public undertakings provided the necessary environmental services cheaper.
In addition, the Ministry was not always able to organise its activities in a way, which would not compromise the impartiality of officials. The Ministry chose the Finnish company Indufor OY, which is a shareholder of an Estonian company Silva Reval, to prepare the Forestry Development Program. The same person, who was responsible for the procurement as an employee of the Ministry, was a Member of the Management Board and a shareholder of Silva Reval.
Furthermore, the SAO notes that the proper implementation of a large number of procurement projects indispensably calls for the establishment of a clear allocation of functions and the determination of persons responsible. The Minister accepted the recommendations of the SAO, notifying, among other things, that measures are taken to improve the substantive justification of invitations to tender.
