The most expensive car for people with disabilities was purchased in Mykolaiv region

In Mykolaiv region, a deal was made to purchase a specialized car for the disabled for almost two million hryvnias without bidding. To date, this is one of the most expensive of such agreements.

This was reported by the publication Antikorruptionnyi Vymir with reference to the electronic public procurement system Prozorro.

The municipal institution "Center for the Provision of Social Services" in Oleksandrivka has signed a contract for the supply of a specialized vehicle. The deal, worth UAH 1.78 million, was concluded without bidding and was one of the most expensive.

The center ordered the car to transport people with disabilities. By the end of 2024, the institution is to receive a Citroen Berlingo passenger car with seven seats in the basic configuration.

According to the terms of reference, the Citroen Berlingo L2 (or its equivalent) should be no older than 2024 and should accommodate six passengers: 4 passengers + 1 driver + 1 space for a wheelchair passenger.

PHOTO: InfoCar

However, the cost of the basic model is about 1.25 million hryvnias, and an additional 500 thousand hryvnias could be spent on special equipment for the needs of people with disabilities. However, the contract does not mention such modifications.

For comparison, in the spring, a similar car for people with disabilities was purchased for UAH 1.5 million in Dnipropetrovska oblast, and a similar model was ordered in Donetsk oblast for UAH 30 thousand less.

The supplier of the car for the Mykolaiv Center was the company Autocenter Podillya, registered in 2008 in Vinnytsia Oblast. The founders are Zoya Khraban from Mykolaiv and two residents of Vinnytsia, Volodymyr Kanyuka and Taras Kravchuk. Zoya Khraban used to be a co-owner of the Mykolaiv-based company Bug Auto LLC together with Oleh Hladkovskyi, an associate of former President Petro Poroshenko.

Bug Auto is now part of the Ukrprominves group, which is controlled by the Poroshenko family. Its owners are relatives of the beneficiaries of the Podillia Auto Center, Maksym Kaniuka and Vasyl Khraban. These companies have the same registration address, which is the same as the founders of the Podillya Auto Center.

In general, Podillya Auto Center is an active participant in tenders and has concluded budget contracts totaling UAH 79.2 million.

Cases when Mykolaiv institutions buy the most expensive cars are not uncommon. Recently, the Mykolaiv Sea Port Authority purchased one of the most expensive SUVs. A 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cost almost three million hryvnias.

The Mykolaiv police also purchased a special purpose vehicle for over one million hryvnias. It is noteworthy that although the police allegedly ordered a special purpose car, the tender requirements did not specify any special equipment for the car. Only one contractor applied for the tender, and the agreement was signed with him.

Анна Бальчінос