Mykolaiv department "gave" 15 million to officials

The Mykolaiv Department of Energy and Energy Efficiency awarded <b>a 15-million-hryvnia tender</b> to a firm with ties to local officials <b>a week before it was liquidated</b>.

This was reported by Nikcenter with reference to data in the Prozorro system.

According to the publication, the director of the department, Alla Lutska, signed an agreement with Pivdenbud Mykolaiv LTD for the overhaul of kindergarten No. 87. This happened despite violations of tender conditions and overpayments.

Two companies took part in the bidding. The winner lowered its offer by only 320 thousand hryvnias to get the contract. It is noted that such a move by the department raises questions, as it took place just before its official liquidation.

Earlier, in July, a similar tender involving the same companies was rejected due to inconsistent documentation. However, a month later, on August 15, despite the same violations, the department recognized Pivdenbud Mykolaiv LTD as the winner. It is noteworthy that it took only two days to make the decision, whereas in July the proceedings lasted two weeks. This acceleration is likely due to the upcoming liquidation of the department.

The company's budget overestimates the prices of a number of goods and materials. For example, metal-plastic doors and windows are much more expensive than in similar procurements made by other city departments. For just four items, such as doors, windows, flooring mix, and water heaters, the potential overpayment is about half a million hryvnias.

Despite this, the total cost of the work falls within the framework of the initial design price developed in 2021 by Oleksandr Nuzhdov, an individual entrepreneur who received 14 contracts for design and estimate documentation from the department .

The company is already known for scandals with the use of budget funds. The company was the largest contractor for the restoration of social facilities in the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration and was involved in criminal cases, including the reconstruction of the Bashtanka Hospital, where significant overpayments were found. The reconstruction of kindergarten No. 87 in question has been going on since 2018 and has already cost the city UAH 13 million. However, even after these investments, the facility is only 85% complete, and the Russian shelling caused additional damage.

Катерина Глушко