7 People Involved in Cluny Reservoir Scandal, Including Suspended Engineers

An internal investigation by the Central Water Authority (CWA) has identified seven individuals connected to the Cluny reservoir project, including senior officials, engineers, and officers. The investigation report has been submitted to CWA management. Four engineers have already been suspended, and the remaining three are expected to explain their roles soon.

The case has also been referred to the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), which will assess potential criminal or financial liabilities.

The construction company Sotravic, responsible for building the reservoir, will be summoned by the FCC to provide explanations.

The project, launched in January 2021, involved constructing a 3,000 cubic meter reservoir at Cluny and a reinforced 2,000 cubic meter reservoir at Eau-Bleue.

The contract was worth Rs 74 million and awarded to Sotravic. Construction started in October 2021, with an initial deadline of October 2022. However, delays pushed back completion until September 2023.

Problems emerged early on; during a pressure test in March 2023, defects were identified, prompting repairs.

An inspection in July 2024 revealed visible damage to the reservoir walls, raising further concerns.

The situation worsened during a surprise visit by Minister Patrick Assirvaden on January 16, 2025, when significant leaks were observed at multiple locations.

Further examination found over 25 cracks, leading authorities to decide to demolish the structure.

Source: l’Express