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🇫🇮 Finland /Economy & Trade

Finnish wellbeing county cancels 290,000 euro consultancy contract citing assessment error

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The West Uusimaa wellbeing services county in Finland has canceled a 290,000 euro communication consultancy contract.
  • The county cited a clear assessment error and insufficient preparation time for the procurement.
  • The contract was with a newly established company owned by the communications director of the Finnish Medical Association, whose spouse is a member of parliament.

The West Uusimaa wellbeing services county has halted a communication consultancy procurement worth 290,000 euros, admitting to a significant assessment error. The county stated that a broader review of implementation options and more time for preparation were needed.

We made a clear assessment error in the procurement. We should have examined the implementation options more broadly, and more time should have been allocated for preparation.

— Sanna SvahnThe chief executive of the West Uusimaa wellbeing services county explained the reason for canceling the consultancy contract.

"When public funds are used, the preparation must be thorough and transparent," said Sanna Svahn, the county's chief executive. She added, "I will propose to the regional government that the procurement decision be overturned. I am sorry, and we want to correct our mistake."

The decision comes after reports that the county had planned to acquire external communication consulting services from a company established less than two weeks prior. The county had aimed to enhance resident and service communication, as well as strengthen societal communication and stakeholder collaboration.

When public funds are used, the preparation must be thorough and transparent.

— Sanna SvahnThe county chief executive emphasized the need for transparency in public spending.

The contract was a direct procurement with a company called Uncle Tell. Its sole owner is Lauri Korkeaoja, the current communications director for the Finnish Medical Association. Korkeaoja is also the husband of Inka Hopsu, a member of parliament and Espoo city politician, who is listed as a deputy board member of the company. The regional government is scheduled to meet on August 24 to discuss the matter.

I will propose to the regional government that the procurement decision be overturned. I am sorry, and we want to correct our mistake.

— Sanna SvahnThe chief executive expressed regret and stated the intention to rectify the error.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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