Suspicions of corrupt official interference in tender procedures for construction and reconstruction works in the liberated territories are growing. Although a total of 27 supplier companies participated in the tenders announced by the Public Legal Entity for Restoration, Construction, and Management in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts on January 23, 2025, and January 31, 2025, the result remained unchanged, concluding with “SMTS” LLC being declared the winner, based on Article 33.13 of the Law “On Public Procurement”.
Essentially, this law allows for concessions to be applied to suppliers who have obtained a certificate of conformity. However, these concessions should not lead to secret collusion and the plundering of the state budget. The reality is that any supplier participating in and declared the winner of a tender uses locally produced goods and materials. This is because it is commercially advantageous for the supplier. In these tenders, too, there were suppliers who offered more favorable prices based on the principle of budget savings. For example: “SMTS” LLC offered 36,586,240.32 manats for the construction of multi-functional medium-rise residential buildings in Aghdam city, residential complex No. 4, blocks 1 and 2; 36,536,755.81 manats for blocks 5 and 6; and 26,013,265.20 manats for blocks 7 and 8. In contrast, "KÖRPÜBİNATİKİNTİ" LLC consecutively offered 33,442,792.68 manats and 33,336,108.46 manats, and “AZƏRSUTƏCHİZATTİKİNTİ OPEN JOINT-STOCK COMPANY” offered 23,799,994.34 manats. As can be seen, an additional 8,556,366 manats from the state budget was legalized across 3 (three) tenders without any necessity. With this amount, dozens of additional individual residential apartments could have been built. It is unacceptable for the rights of organizations like "KÖRPÜBİNATİKİNTİ" LLC, which have considerable experience in Azerbaijan's construction sector, to be violated for the personal interests of some official. This raises suspicions of secret collusion. At the same time, it constitutes a gross violation of the rights of the 26 suppliers participating in the tender and creates distrust in the transparency of future tenders.
Each of us had hoped that the work to be carried out in these territories would be conducted with maximum transparency, at least for the sake of our martyrs. This was a national, moral, and psychological issue, also for separatist elements. Unfortunately, some corrupt elements within procurement organizations operate not on the principle of budget savings, but literally on the principle of plunder. Those driven by personal gain artificially use Article 33.13 of the Law “On Public Procurement” to obtain additional funds from the state budget, thereby increasing their own capital and legalizing the funds they have stolen. This is outright plundering of state funds. The fact that individuals known in society as corrupt officials hold responsible positions in construction works in the liberated territories raises serious doubts about the establishment of transparent competition.
There are strong suspicions of repeated embezzlement and misappropriation of large sums, as well as violations of legislation “On Public Procurement” under Articles 179.2.2, 179.2.3, 179.2.4, and Article 308-2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. All of the above provides sufficient grounds for investigating the mentioned tenders conducted between 2024 and 2025 and for a legal assessment to be made. At the same time, the process of applying concessions must be legally scrutinized, and the bid prices of each supplier must be investigated.
Additionally, we would like to note that Leysan Mammadov is the Executive Director of the Public Legal Entity for Restoration, Construction, and Management in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts. This is the same Leysan Mammadov who, during his tenure as Deputy Director at the Directorate of Objects Under Construction of the Ministry of Youth and Sports from 2009 to 2021, was found by investigations of the Chamber of Accounts to have committed numerous acts of corruption involving large sums. Although the Chamber of Accounts recommended that the leadership of the Ministry of Youth and Sports determine criminal and administrative responsibility for the committed offenses, the fact that no appeal was sent from the ministry to law enforcement agencies also raises suspicions. It appears that Leysan Mammadov is applying his corruption “experience” in his new workplace as well.
Demokrat.az