In Odesa, 100 million was allocated for the repair of pumping stations, but the source of the funds was not specified

In Odesa, 114.3 million hryvnias have been allocated for the major overhaul of two drainage pumping stations, which are intended to help prevent emergencies in the event of a breach of the Khadzhibey Estuary dam. Of this amount, the city plans to raise 100 million from “other sources” of funding, without specifying exactly where the funds will come from.

According to an analysisby the Center for Public Investigations, this information is contained in Odessa’s updated environmental program for 2022–2029, which was approved by Order No. 387-2026 issued by Serhiy Lysak, head of the Odessa City Military Administration No. 387-2026. 

The program involves major repairs to drainage pumping stations No. 4 and No. 5. The budget allocates 58.5 million hryvnias for the first and 55.8 million for the second. The total amount is 114.3 million hryvnias.

According to the program, both projects are intended to help prevent natural and man-made emergencies in the event of a breach of the Khadzhibey Estuary dam.

The work is scheduled for 2022–2027. The Odessa Electrical Engineering, Maintenance, and Installation Enterprise, which reports to the Department of Municipal Services, has been designated as the contractor.

At the same time, funding has been allocated unevenly. A total of 14.3 million hryvnias has been allocated from the city budget for the repair of both stations. All of these funds are earmarked for the years 2022–2025.

The remainder—100 million hryvnias—is planned to be raised from other sources. In 2026, 25 million hryvnias are to be allocated for the renovation of each station, and another 25 million is earmarked for each in 2027.

However, the program does not specify exactly where this money is supposed to come from. It could be funds from the state budget, grants, loans from international organizations, or financing from other sources; however, the document does not specify their origin.

The amount of 100 million hryvnias accounts for approximately 78% of all funds that Odesa’s environmental program plans to raise from other sources.

Furthermore, these funds account for a significant portion of the program’s planned financing in the coming years. In 2026, a total of 118.7 million hryvnias is allocated for environmental measures, of which 50 million are expected to come from other sources. In 2027, 110.7 million hryvnias are planned, of which 50 million will also come from sources other than the main budget revenues.

Thus, the completion of the pumping station repairs depends on securing funds, the sources of which are not disclosed in the document.

At the same time, the program itself is a planning document: the amounts specified in it are approximate and do not indicate that the corresponding funding has already been received or that the work has been completed.

The document does not specify whether there are any agreements regarding the receipt of these 100 million hryvnias.

Андрій Колісніченко