Audit uncovers mismanagement of magazines across the country

2 February, 2010 – A royal audit authority (RAA) report found large quantities of explosive materials missing and not accounted for, as per the records of the main ‘mother magazine depot’ in Tsimasham, and also with end users like mining companies, dzongkhags, construction companies and the department of roads. (see box).

“The study was done by RAA on the request of the home ministry for the safety and security of the nation and to take measures based on the report,” said home minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji. The report was carried out in two phases, covering the period from July 2007 to October 2008.

RAA also found that explosives were stored in unsafe places, existence of old and outdated explosives, poor record keeping, unauthorised transfer of explosives, and deployment of untrained blasters among others.

The report comes at a crucial time when the 10th plan and 10,000 MW by 2020 is expected to greatly multiply the number and quantity of explosives used across the country.

RAA’s verification of STCBL ‘Mother Magazine’ in Chukha found huge differences between the closing balance of quantity of explosives in December 2007 and opening balance in January 2008. This was apparent with shortages and also excessive explosives found. The same was observed with dzongkhags and companies; in some cases, proper records were not maintained.

The RAA report stated that, although,in some cases the record keeping problems could be attributed for stock discrepancies, items being fraught with risk and danger of being misused warrants immediate corrective measures.

The RAA team found that in most cases explosive material was found stored in offices, buildings, including residential, temporary sheds and open space. Some of the storage facilities were next to highways, endangering passer bys and motorists.

Magazines, building meant for storing explosives, were not constructed by most permit holders “exposing both local population and the nation at large to possible risks besides possible unauthorised uses.” Magazines construction is mandatory as per the explosives rules 1989 of the MoHCA.

Many of the users, including STCBL, were found having expired explosives without storing them properly. RAA also found that there were no proper supervisions, monitoring and reporting on the surrender of unused explosives upon completion of projects. Trongsa dzongkhag, for example, had explosives dating back to the 1990s.

There were also many instances of transfer of large quantities of explosives between various agencies and companies without the mandatory authorisation. For instance, explosives meant for mines in Samtse ended up in mines in Chukha. RAA also found that ‘security personnel did not object to such unauthorised diversion of explosive items’.

There was also no accounting for significant numbers of explosives that had misfired, some of which were found stacked randomly.

It was also found that permit holders were lifting explosives from STCBL in excess of what they were allotted. “This is unauthorised and may lead to possible risks and show poor monitoring on part of the agencies,” stated the report. RAA found that, in most cases, laymen were doing blasting without employing qualified blasters, in contrary to regulations posing ‘risk to life and property’.

In all the above cases, RAA found inadequate supervision and monitoring on the part of the law enforcing authorities. RAA says that authorities should carry out adequate monitoring on receipts, use of explosives and that it needs an adequate system of monitoring by law enforcement agencies.

After the report, MoHCA is now in the process of making three separate mother magazines at Punatsangchhu, central and eastern Bhutan with 50 metric tonnes capacity each. “We already sent a team from the bureau of law and order to verify the findings of RAA and various agencies and companies have also been asked to explain regarding the findings,” said Lyonpo Minjur Dorji. The minister said that sensitisation meetings were already held with the dzongdas, DoR and 37 major explosive users from mining and construction, on the safe use of explosives.

“The Explosive Bill is also scheduled for the upcoming parliament session, after which we’ll have the legal authority to cancel the permits of companies and agencies that do not follow the rules,” said the minister.

MoHCA has also asked STCBL to purchase special vehicles fit to carry large amounts of explosives, contrary to the unsafe system of transporting explosives now.

By Tenzin Lamsang