The Jordanian parliament has reportedly ordered an investigation into the 2006 sale of local telecommunications provider Umniah following allegations of corruption.
The Jordan Times reported the allegations came to light during recent parliamentary…
The Jordanian parliament has reportedly ordered an investigation into the 2006 sale of local telecommunications provider Umniah following allegations of corruption.
The Jordan Times reported the allegations came to light during recent parliamentary discussions concerning a number of corruption cases, specifically the examination of a memorandum signed by 82 MPs calling for an investigation into the sale of the company, now owned by Bahrain-based Batelco.
According to the report, MPs criticised the government’s privatisation of the company, accusing it of selling shares at a “shamefully low price” to an investor before its sale shortly afterward to Batelco for the much higher price of US$415m.
The report stated the government granted Umniah an operating licence for just US$5.6m, tax exemptions and other concessions before its sale to Batelco.
A 2007 investigation into the sale resulted in a referral to the judiciary; however the Amman prosecutor general reportedly decided there was no case.
