Defense Minister Helena Carreiras said this Wednesday that she has asked for an audit of the advisory services of the Directorate General of National Defense Resources following cases involving former governor Capt. Ferreira, accused of Operation Perfect Storm.
“From the moment the new circumstances arose, I acted in accordance with what would be required in circumstances in which there is noise, suspicions that need to be calmed.” Nacional to the advisers of the General Directorate of National Defense Resources,” Helena Carreiras explained during her participation in CNN Portugal’s “Town Hall”.
Elena Carreiras will be heard in the Assembly of the Republic along with the former responsible minister João Gomes Cravinho on the “revealed facts” regarding Marco Capitan Ferreira.
Capt. Ferreira resigned as secretary of defense last week and was prosecuted the same day as part of Operation Perfect Storm on suspicion of corruption and economic involvement in business.
Based on documents from the Ministry of Defense, Expresso reported this Wednesday that Marco Capitan Ferreira has begun advising the Ministry of Defense ahead of signing a contract worth 61,000 euros.
An advisory contract signed between the Secretary of State and the Directorate General of National Defense Resources (DGRDN), then headed by Alberto Coelho, one of the participants in the Perfect Storm legal operation, whose name is associated with the cost of repurposing the former Belen military hospital, was signed on March 25 2019.
The consultation agreement with a validity period of 60 days and a cost of 50 thousand euros plus VAT, according to the former secretary of state himself, was signed on March 25, 2019, and the services were completed four days later, on March 29 this year.
Asked by CNN Portugal if she had suspicions about the case, Helena Carreiras stressed that it was not her function and that “authorities should investigate, investigate and investigate.”
“I want to, of course, just to make sure [com as auditorias pedidas] that this noise and these suspicions that may exist in the public space have a proper response,” he stressed.
The Minister of Defense also emphasized that she asked for “all these inspection activities, internal and external” in order to “protect the authority of the institutions and the prestige of the government.”
Last week, Helena Carreiras announced that she had applied to the Court of Accounts for a financial audit of idD Portugal Defense after Marco Capitan Ferreira became the defendant.
The President of the Republic has previously expressed his support for an audit of the financial management of the defense industry in the name of transparency.
When asked by CNN Portugal about the delay in requesting an audit, Helena Carreiras said she acted “when there were indications that circumstances warranted it” following Captain Ferreira’s resignation.
“It is to this extent that we act not as a result of pressure or requests, but depending on what are the indications that make us think that it is necessary to clarify, clarify, and this verification is certainly an important part of that. moving towards greater transparency,” he assured.
Also on CNN Portugal, João Gomes Cravinho, now foreign minister, denied that Captain Ferreira owed him an explanation.
“His conduct, whether as an adviser or IdD president appointed by me, is beyond doubt,” he said, adding that regarding his work as Secretary of State, “he will now give explanations to those who are eligible.”
Gomes Cravinho said he would give the necessary clarifications in parliament this Friday.
The current head of Portuguese diplomacy also addressed new allegations at the Ministry of Defense, uncovered by Expresso last week, which said that João Gomes Cravinho, then in charge of the portfolio, “would have moved forward without the Court of Accounts coverage or the EH-helicopter maintenance contract.” 101″ (whose squadron provides search and rescue operations).
According to the publication, “precisely for the purpose of advising on the revision of this contract with the manufacturer — which never entered into force — Marco Capitan Ferreira received 61.5 thousand euros, while the judicial police did not find physical evidence, the service is provided in total in five days.”
Gómez Cravinho emphasized that “it is not the minister who asks for permission from the Accounts Chamber” and that he must give “authorization for spending.”
“When this authorization for spending is given, it is the legal entity – DGRDN – that has the right to draw up contracts, negotiate contracts and request permission from the Accounts Chamber,” he stressed.
Regarding Captain Ferreira’s involvement in this process, Gomes Cravinho stressed that he was a DGRDN advisor who “carried this responsibility” and uses his own resources or hires someone to do the job.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.