In Mykolaiv, an agreement for the construction of a shelter for 90 million was signed with inflated prices

The construction of a shelter for a lyceum in Mykolaiv region, worth almost UAH 90 million, was ordered at inflated prices and with some shortcomings.

This was reported by the Nashi Hroshi publication.

The auction, which took place on September 19, was attended by only one participant, Nimfan, with an offer of UAH 89 million 759 thousand 230. On October 3, 2024, the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Koblivka Village Council signed an agreement with Nimfan LLC for the construction of a radiation shelter for the Rybakiv Lyceum. According to the Prozorro platform, the construction is scheduled to be completed by September 2025.

UAH 90,000,611 was planned to be spent on the new construction of the civil defense facility. The source of financing is budgetary funds. The total construction area is 1359.6 square meters. The works are to be completed by September 1, 2025.

The shelter will include main rooms for the protection of children of all ages, play areas, sanitary stations, dirty clothes storage, food and water storage, a kitchen and technical rooms. The shelter is equipped with protective and airtight doors, louvered grilles, and crawler lifts. This shelter was the most expensive project in Mykolaiv region.

Nimfan was awarded the contract without competition. The cost of materials in the estimate is much higher than market prices. For example, rebar and insulation are 12-24% more expensive than on the market, and crushed stone and brick are 42-62% more expensive. In total, the inflated prices for these materials could have resulted in an overpayment of UAH 1.63 million. These funds would have been enough to purchase 35 FPV drones for the military.

The contract was awarded without competition due to the requirement to have similar experience in the construction or reconstruction of shelters. This narrowed the range of potential bidders. Vadym Bessonov is the head of the education department of the Koblivka village council, and Oleksandra Dremliuha is responsible for public procurement.

According to the YouControl online analytical system, the company was registered in 2005 in Mykolaiv. In addition to the main KVED - construction of residential and non-residential buildings, it has 13 other types of activities.

Since its inception, Nimfan LLC has earned UAH 275 million 089 thousand 114 in public tenders. And, of course, almost UAH 90 million for the construction of the shelter.

Nimfan LLC, owned by Odesa residents Nina Cherniayeva and Ihor Melnychuk, was previously involved in scandalous deals.

According to the ruling of the Odesa Court of Appeal of 07.07.2020, the company was involved in the case of the creation and acquisition of other companies with signs of fictitiousness in the period from 2013 to 2016, which were used to cover up illegal activities aimed at providing tax evasion services. The case involved about 50 companies.

In 2018, the company was accused of overestimating the cost of work during the reconstruction of a gymnasium in Chornomorsk, and even earlier, in 2010, the company was a party to a fictitious agreement with Lubnyvodokanal regarding the misappropriation of budget funds.

Also, recently, Mykolaiv signed a contract for the construction of a heating network at inflated prices. The purchase price is almost five hundred million hryvnias. On October 4, Mykolaivoblteploenergo signed an agreement with Avtostrada Group of Companies LLC for the construction of an underground heating network worth UAH 487.38 million.

In September, Mykolaiv Oblast determined who would reconstruct a kindergarten in Trykratne village, Voznesensk district. The Department of Urban Development, Architecture and Capital Construction held a tender worth UAH 75 million. Only one company took part in the auction, and it won. The prices in the estimate were also overstated.

Earlier, Intent investigated how many shelters are already ready in the city and region, and which companies receive contracts for the restoration and construction of shelters for children. During the study of tenders, a significant number of companies with corruption experience or criminal cases were found.

Last year, about 500 private commercial companies received almost UAH 150.5 billion from the state. Analysts revealed which companies received the most public funds and how they are connected to influential political figures.

Анна Бальчінос