NESA suspends 2 officials for faulty mask import

The Board of Directors of the National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) has suspended two senior officials of the agency for their involvement in the process of importing faulty face masks.

The NESA Board of Directors announced the suspension decision on Monday after holding meetings on Saturday and Sunday, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

The suspended officials are NESA Deputy Director-General (Administration) Asko Harjula and Director, Industry Jyrki Hakola.

The officials, however, are to remain off the job pending the results of an external investigation scheduled to be completed on Tuesday.

Earlier, on Friday, NESA Managing Director Tomi Lounema resigned following the import of faulty coronavirus protective equipment.

Lounema submitted the resignation after the defects in the procurement procedure of personal protective equipment and the consequent lack of confidence had come to light.

At a press conference on the same day, Employment Minister Tuula Haatainen said the credibility of NESA has been damaged and the agency’s Deputy Managing Director Janne Känkänen will replace Lounema.

The flawed procurement process has recently been discussed widely in public after a consignment of masks failed tests and were therefore not sent to hospitals.

According to the local media, Lounema bought the masks from Onni Sarmaste, a payday lender and he was in dispute with reality TV star Tiina Jylhä over the payments, reported the Yle.

Earlier, on April 9, the employment minister had requested NESA to provide a report on the protective equipment procurement.