Latvia, Legislation, Transport

The company's board is made up of the now-suspended board chairman Leons Bemhens, acting director of Riga City Council's Transport Department Emils Jakrins, Jurmala City Council member Larisa Loskutova (Harmony), Baldone Region Council member Andrejs Pozarnovs (Honor to Serve Our Latvia), and Inese Svekle (Honor to Serve Riga).

Usakovs has appointed a temporary board of three members for the company: former Transport Minister Anrijs Matiss who will be the head of the temporary board, as well as Edmunds Zivtins, head of the Rigas Satiksme's Transport and Organizational Department, and Janis Gedusevs, head of the company's security and risk management department.

Usakovs told LETA that the first task for Matiss would be to halt all public procurement tenders to buy new transport units for Rigas Satiksme, if that is permitted by the law, and organize new tenders.

At the same time, Usakovs has nothing to reproach the suspended board members for. "They believe this is the best they can do now to save the company's reputation. I thank all the board members, and especially Leons Bemhens, for their decision, and I have accepted their resignation letters. I also hope that the ongoing investigation will prove that members of the board had no part in any violations that may have taken place at the company," said Usakovs.

As reported, the Corruption Prevention Bureau has started a criminal case on three procurement tenders organized by Rigas Satiksme: 2016 tender to buy low-floor trams for a total of EUR 62,597,477, 2013 tender to buy trolley-buses for a total of EUR 131,646,135, and one more 2013 tender to buy buses worth EUR 75,808,297.