The Supreme Audit Office Watchdog Faces Scrutiny Over Vistula Spit Project
The National Audit Office, led by Marian Banaś, is once again at the center of political debate in Poland. Critics say its actions appear aimed at scoring political points, as a contentious investment linked to the Vistula Spit project was criticized by top officials from the ruling coalition and by former opposition voices. Auditors sent notices to the public prosecutor and the public finance discipline spokesperson after an inspection of the Maritime Office in Gdynia and the Ministry of Infrastructure following the creation of a navigational ditch through the Vistula Spit. The stake? A project seen as strategically important yet controversial in its execution and cost.
The Supreme Audit Office published on its website that the inspection of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Maritime Office in Gdynia led to two reports to the Public Prosecution Service for potential abuse of power and one report to the spokesperson for discipline in public finances for possible unapproved expenditures. This filing stems from the comprehensive audit of the waterway that connects the Vistula Lagoon with the Bay of Gdańsk and the accompanying budgetary decisions.
This audit result, released in late 2023, is available on the Supreme Audit Office site under the registration number D/22/506.
In context, observers recall previous coverage of the audit, including prompt reactions from government and opposition circles. The conversation around the Vistula Spit project continues to spark political debate over accountability and the use of public funds, with some arguing it reflects partisan rhetoric while others insist on rigorous scrutiny of governance and financial planning.
Foundations of the Audit Findings
During the review, officials determined that before 2020, the director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia committed funds to the project beyond the approved program budget, amounting to PLN 157.7 million. A notable portion of the budget was used for purposes not directly contributing to the program’s core goals, and several tasks were pursued in a manner that raised questions about reliability, legality, economy, and expediency.
The audit also criticized the minister with responsibility for maritime economy for not accurately assessing the material and financial scale of the investment in the draft multi-year program. When amendments were discussed in 2019 and 2020, the minister did not inform the Council of Ministers that the project’s value would exceed initial estimates by more than 100%, eroding the economic justification for the investment.
Auditors noted that the minister, while supervising the director in Gdynia, did not intervene to align activities with applicable law and, in some cases, accepted actions that lacked proper justification. The audit implied a failure to ensure compliance with statutory norms and questioned the rationality of the procedures used in the project’s development.
The Supreme Court’s audit concluded that the minister’s role involved not realistically defining the necessary resources for the investment, which has raised ongoing questions about governance oversight.
Investigation by the Gdańsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office
Following the reports, an investigation was launched by the Gdańsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office. In parallel, a request was submitted to the Inter-Ministerial Dispute Committee regarding possible violations of discipline in public finances by the minister responsible for public administration.
According to the Supreme Audit Office, the plan and execution of the waterway between the Vistula Lagoon and the Bay of Gdańsk showed the project’s value rising from an initial PLN 880 million to nearly PLN 2 billion by April of the following year, a jump of roughly 125 percent. The report also suggested that the Vistula Spit project did not appear feasible to meet its main aims of security and regional prosperity within the originally planned timeline.
The investigation signals the seriousness with which authorities view the expenditures and strategic planning around this waterway, prompting debates about accountability in public procurement and project governance.
Opening the Navigation Channel
The canal, part of the broader waterway project from the Vistula Lagoon to Gdańsk Bay, opened on September 17, 2023. By cutting through the Vistula Spit, Poland established a direct passage from the lagoon to the Baltic Sea, reducing reliance on foreign routes. Government voices later framed the trench as a driver of economic activity for the Warmian-Masurian region, particularly benefiting Elbląg and its port, along with other Vistula Lagoon ports.
The complete waterway stretches nearly 23 kilometers from the Bay of Gdańsk, through the Vistula Lagoon to Elbląg. The span through the lagoon measures a little over 10 kilometers, with the Elbląg River segment exceeding 10 kilometers; about 2.5 kilometers remain for a lock, an outer harbor, and a parking area. The long-term plan envisions a depth of five meters for the entire canal.
Looking back, the leadership of the Supreme Audit Office faces intense public scrutiny. While political factions argued about the project’s motives, the Vistula Spit canal stands as a high-profile example of how infrastructure ambitions collide with governance and budget oversight. For Poland, the canal represents a moment of strategic self-reliance on Baltic access, and the debate continues over how best to balance development with prudent financial management.
Additional commentary from observers touched on personnel changes and the broader political climate surrounding the project. Some pieces questioned the timing and nature of personnel decisions related to the Maritime Office and argued about the project’s symbolic significance within national policy narratives. Other coverage highlighted international attention to Poland’s infrastructure initiatives and the perception of national resolve in pursuing autonomous access to important maritime routes.
All sources reflect ongoing discussions about governance, accountability, and the future of Poland’s maritime infrastructure strategy. The case remains a focal point for examining how public funds are planned, executed, and reviewed within a dynamic political landscape.
Note: This summary reflects available reports and public documents regarding the Vistula Spit project and related audits. Citations are provided within public records and official summaries attributed to the Supreme Audit Office and regional prosecutorial authorities.