Company Linked To Nurali Aliyev Dredging Kigach

Orda.kz investigated why authorities in the Atyrau region have not disclosed details of the tender for dredging the Kigach River.

In the Kurmangazy District, officials carried out dredging work under the pretext of an emergency response — but the project’s cost remains undisclosed. Journalists’ inquiries continue to circulate between the Akimat and the Prosecutor’s Office, without yielding clear answers.

In 2025, a natural disaster emergency was declared in the region due to record-low water levels and reduced discharge from the Volga Hydroelectric Power Station.

As the lower Volga shallowed, the Kigach River — which feeds it — nearly dried up. Spawning grounds disappeared, mineralization rose, and groundwater levels dropped sharply. The result was devastating: fishermen lost income, farmers lost crops, and many residents lost access to clean water.

Local authorities, meanwhile, signed a contract for riverbed dredging.

Who carried out the work — and for how much?

Orda.kz sent an official request to determine who performed the work, how the contractor was chosen, and how much money was allocated.

Requests were sent to three specialized organizations. Following review, the lowest-cost proposal from Bertys Construction LLP was selected. The company completed 4.2 kilometers of dredging, using 20 pieces of equipment, and an additional 25 are being mobilized,
 said Daniyar Erdeshov, head of the office of the Akim of the Kurmangazy District.

Officials maintain the contract was signed legally. However, they have not disclosed either the contract amount or the selection criteria.

The reasons for choosing Bertys Construction remain unclear.

A review of the company’s background revealed that Bertys Construction is registered as a high-risk taxpayer. The firm, established on December 15, 2004, in Astana, is owned by Caspian Invest Group, whose founder is Zhanbolat Nadyrov.

According to public records, Nadyrov has close ties to Nurali Aliyev. He previously held senior roles at Nurbank when it was under Aliyev’s control and was later appointed director of Transtelecom by Aliyev himself.

The total value of the dredging contract remains unknown. Attempts to obtain details led to a bureaucratic circle:
The regional prosecutor’s office referred the request to the district prosecutor’s office, which then sent it back to the akimat.

The akimat redirected it to the region, and the region again forwarded it to the district prosecutor’s office. In the end, responses contained only general statements, with no figures or specifics.

Meanwhile, residents of the Kurmangazy District continue to live along the dried riverbanks, still waiting for answers.

The editorial team will continue to investigate this case.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov