By Mekonnen Teshome
![](https://www.africandemystifier.com/adcnt/uploads/2023/04/Dr-W-1.jpeg)
Ethiopian Parliament Revokes
Ethiopian Parliament has revoked the immunity of Dr. Chala Wata, the former President of Bulle Hora University, in its 13th regular session held today.
Dr. Chala Wata, a member of the house, reportedly made various purchases without following the government procurement rules when he was the president of Bule Hora University.
Ethiopian Parliament Revokes Immunity
The Chairman of the Law and Justice Standing Committee of the House , Mrs. Esgenet Hesutu, presented the proposal for revoking the immunity.
It was explained that when Dr. Chala was the president of Bule Hora University, he made inflated purchases with out following the government’s procurement procedure, received millions of money in a bank account registered in his name, and found a residential building registered in the name of his wife.
After the Ministry of Justice submitted a request to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice of the House of Representatives to lift the legal protection of Dr. Chala Wata, the Standing Committee investigated the matter and passed the decision.
BHU Consulting Engineers Private Limited Liability Company
It is mentioned that Dr. Chala Wata has established a consulting company named BHU Consulting Engineers Private Limited Liability Company and got a business license in their name to generate internal revenue outside of the procedures allowed by the Government Procurement Act.
It was stated that making direct purchases from Bule Hora University to provide consultancy services for construction works, and making payments to the consulting firm and the contractors , this has caused financial loses to the government.
In the criminal investigation conducted by the Standing Committee, it was mentioned that various construction works costing around 196 million birr were directly awarded to nine contractors without the government’s purchase and implementation procedures.
It was also indicated that the university has misused capital funds set aside for development of infrastructure and purchased fourteen vehicles and machinery worth 116 million birr in the name of a private contractor violating the purchase rules and laws.
In relation to this, it is pointed out that the vehicles and the machinery were purchased in the expense of the university, but their ownership right were given to a private contractor.
![](https://www.africandemystifier.com/adcnt/uploads/2023/04/Bulee.jpg)
In addition, it was also mentioned that the price of the vehicle and the machinery was too inflated.
For example, a double cab pick-up vehicle purchased for the contractor company was actually costs 3 million 300 birr , but reported as it was purchased for 6 million 174 thousand birr and payment was made from the university, BBC stated.
Another vehicle was also purchased for 1.6 million birr, but it was faked that it was bought for 6.5 million birr and the payment was made by the university.
The ownership of all the 14 vehicles and machinery has been registered to be the contractor company and not the university , it was reported.
It was underscore that this act of misconduct has neglected the government’s rules and regulations and over 11 million birr has been embezzled as if it is paid to the contractors.
In the investigation conducted on Dr. Chala Wata and BHU, it was revealed that he is both the director and owner of the PLC, and it was indicated that millions of birr were deducted from the university and remitted into the organization’s account.
It is stated that his immunity has been removed and because millions of birr and assets have been registered in the name of his spouse and his children as well as himself.
It was also stated that Dr. Chala was interviewed by the members of the parliament earlier before the immunity revoking proposal.
Dr. Chala Wata, on his part, opposed the proposed immunity revoking in today’s parliamentary session and presented his opinion. It is expected that the police will do investigation on Dr. Chala case.