Newly Created Companies and 40 Million: Mykolaiv Region Signs Agreement to Repair Shelter with History

In Mykolaiv region, an agreement was signed to repair the shelter, which was planned to be built in 2019. More than UAH 19 million was allocated from the budget. The tender was won by a company that was registered almost a year ago, but this did not prevent the company's beneficiary from earning more than UAH 40 million in public tenders.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

The Department of Urban Planning, Architecture, Capital Construction and Development Projects Support was the customer for the overhaul of the radiation shelter No. 54726 of the Stepkivska secondary school. The expected purchase price was UAH 19 million 347 thousand 820.

The auction took place on October 3. Some questions were raised about the bidding and even a complaint was received. On October 15, 2024, the State Audit Service of Ukraine decided to monitor the procurement procedure. Despite the auditors' request on the Prozorro website, there has been no response from the procurement customer.

Two companies competed for the tender. The victory was won by the newly created company, VKF Alfabud, which has already earned more than UAH 14 million in two government tenders in 2024.

According to the YouControl online analytical system, the company was registered on November 24, 2023, with a registered capital of UAH 1,000. Its owner is Volodymyr Valeriyovych Podolian.

In addition to this company, Mr. Podolian is the owner of Alfa Construction Company LLC and Alfa Special Construction LLC. In addition, he is also registered as a sole proprietor of Podolian V.V.

The only company out of the three owned by the ultimate beneficiary that is not a newly created one is Alfa-Spetsbud LLC, which is 17 years old, but has not participated in public bidding. But all the other companies participated in the auctions quite actively, despite the "youth" of their registration.

For example, Alfa Production and Construction Company managed to earn UAH 16 million 630 thousand 388 in public procurement in almost two years of its activity. And individual entrepreneur Podolian Volodymyr Valeriyovych earned UAH 10 million 887 thousand 929 in five tenders.

In total, it turns out that the said entrepreneur, with the help of all companies and individual entrepreneurs, earned UAH 41 million 655 thousand 389 in less than two years.

Construction of the shelter began in 2019, but then the work stopped. The facility was financed by government programs and UAH 12.8 million was allocated for it. At that time, journalists and the public appealed to various authorities, but as you can see, this project has only now gotten off the ground.

In June, the Mykolaiv Regional Council amended the program "List of Investment Projects to be Implemented in 2024". The purpose of the draft decision was to restore facilities damaged by Russian aggression in Mykolaiv region, build and overhaul socially important facilities, and construct protective structures. Thus, among other things, it was planned to overhaul the radiation shelter of the Stepkivska secondary school.

Earlier, Intent investigated how children 's shelters are being restored in Mykolaiv region. The study of tenders revealed a significant number of companies with corruption experience or criminal cases.

Анна Бальчінос