Repair of Odesa boiler house pipe will cost more than planned

The reconstruction of the chimney of Odesa's Pivnichna-2 boiler house, which collapsed during bad weather, has risen in price by almost UAH 2.5 million.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

On January 2, the Odesa City Heat Supply Utility signed a contract with Inventum Ukraine on the Prozorro platform without a tender procedure.

Adjustments usually relate to additional costs that arise due to an increase in the scope of work or rising prices for materials. The contractor has to complete the work by February 28.

In August last year, the same company was awarded a contract for "Additional Works" for the same facility, with a total value of UAH 2.4 million.

In the summer, Odesa began reconstructing the pipe of the Severnaya-2 boiler house, which collapsed during a strong wind last year. According to Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, UNICEF allocated UAH 60 million for the repairs. The construction was planned to be completed by November 1, 2024. This was described in detail by the CPR in its article.

Inventum Ukraine was registered in 2009 in Sumy. The founders of the company are three people: Hlib Minenko, Zhanna Talats and Oleksandr Hnapovsky. This is not the first time the company has entered into budgetary agreements, having already signed contracts totaling almost UAH 385 million. In 2018, Inventum Ukraine LLC was involved in a criminal investigation into the possible misappropriation of funds during the restoration of the boiler unit at Sumy CHP for UAH 17.5 million. In addition, in 2016, the company's accountant was tried for tax evasion of more than UAH 620 thousand. She was released from criminal liability because she had paid everything at the time of the trial.

On the night of November 27, 2023, a chimney more than 100 meters high, which belonged to the Pivdenna-2 boiler house, collapsed in Odesa due to hurricane winds. The incident occurred during bad weather.

An expert examination conducted in January 2024 revealed that the chimney collapse was caused by the poor quality of construction work during its construction. The study showed heterogeneity in the concrete, with samples having different strengths depending on the site. The conclusion of the experts was unequivocal: it was impossible to restore this pipe, and a new structure had to be built.

Ірина Глухова