Iraq: KBR burns recyclables, violating contract

[maddezmom]

KBR was contracted to recycle cafeteria waste at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. Such spotty accountability is coming under new scrutiny; an Oct. 30 report reveals that transactions worth $10.7 billion are being audited.

By Tom A. Peter | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the October 30, 2009 edition

Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala Province, Iraq - In this desert fortress of housing trailers and concrete barriers, military contractor KBR has launched a recycling campaign – a kind of oasis in the military, an institution not exactly renowned for environmental activism.

As soldiers exit the dining facility, run by KBR and its subcontractor Najlaa International Catering Services Iraq, they see signs along the emerald walkway urging those who "like to recycle" to follow the path and "Think Green." At the end of the path, soldiers sort aluminum cans and plastic silverware into separate bins.

But there's one problem: The recyclable goods are thrown into a pit with the rest of the trash and burned. While this is likely to disappoint soldiers who "like to recycle," it also is a breach of the government's contract with KBR to run the dining facility on FOB Warhorse, according to the US government's Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

The chimerical recycling program is apparently a microcosmic example of the spotty accountability under which contractors have operated – at substantial expense to US taxpayers. A report issued Oct. 30 by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) said that audits of $6.4 billion worth of contracts revealed "internal weaknesses," including inadequate oversight of invoices and excessive change orders. The report also noted evidence of duplicate payments and payments sent to fictitious addresses and unapproved contractors.

more:http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1030/p06s13-wome.html

[annabanana]

1. yeah . . THAT'S their most egregious violation. . n/t

[KharmaTrain]

2. But ACORN Steals Elections!!!

:sarcasm:

So where's the GOOP poutrage? Oh that's right, Blackwater throws lots of money at them, thus they never bite a hand that pays for their country club memberships, fancy cars and 5-star vacations.

Sadly this administration refuses to deal with this monster and other contractors...stuck with them or face being greatly under-manned (and womanned). And when someone tries to go after these death merchants, there's due to be a rushpublican coming to the defense...no matter what law or civil norm is violated. Rape? Part of the "price of doing business".

While the military is stuck with these leeches until we can get our troops safely out of Iraq and then Afghanistan these bloodsuckers will continue to thumb their noses at the Obama administraion and the justice system cause they know they have Obama over a barrel. Very disapointing...and seems the military is comfortable with allowing rogue mercenaries run amok.

[Lagomorph]

3. Running a recycling program at an FOB, ffs...

...that's like piling shrapnel around the base for the troops to enjoy during the mortar and rocket attacks.

There's a reason they take everything that isn't absolutely necessary and bury it as far away from them as they can.