Supreme Audit Chamber Revealed Violations in Water Disposal Sector

The Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC) has inspected the water disposal sector, Orda reports.

Without a unified information system and accurate data, the discovered issues cannot be resolved.

 SAC Chairman Alikhan Smailov stated that without digitalization and a systematic approach, it is impossible to effectively plan expenses, set priorities, and promptly eliminate the most pressing problems.

The audit discovered that 67 cities need to upgrade or build treatment facilities, while 27 do not have them at all.

In several regions, the allocated funds do not correspond to actual needs.

The primary funding is directed to Astana, Turkestan, and Almaty regions, while Qaraganda, Pavlodar, and Ulytau networks are in the worst condition. 

The audit also revealed that for many complex water disposal projects, the assessment was carried out by organizations that did not have the right to do so.

As a result, the cost of 35 projects increased from 109 to 180 billion tenge after adjustments.

Some almost completed facilities have been idle since 2017, and new stations do not operate due to the lack of sewer networks.

In the Turkestan and East Kazakhstan regions, six treatment plants worth 5.6 billion tenge are idle due to the lack of sewer networks.

Financial violations – 18.7 billion tenge – were found along with ineffective planning – 23.4 billion tenge, and inadequate use of funds – 26.7 billion tenge.

Losses and lost profits are estimated at 17.3 billion tenge. The SAC identified 59 systemic problems and 277 procedural violations.

All violations will be monitored until they are dealt with.

Original Author: Artem Volkov