In 2024, state auditors conducted compliance audits in Temirtau, Karaganda, and Balkhash, covering key infrastructure projects – from the reconstruction of heating networks to the construction of gas distribution systems and improvement of the urban environment.
Temirtau: Reconstruction of Heating Networks
In August 2024, an audit was conducted on the project “Reconstruction of heating networks from TK-10 to TK-4a along the 6th microdistrict market from Metallurgov Avenue to Temirtau Street.”
The customer was the State Institution “Department of Housing and Communal Services, Passenger Transport, and Highways of the city of Temirtau”, and the contractor was LLP “Tair.”
A control measurement confirmed discrepancies between the actual construction and installation works and those reported in the work completion certificates. Pipes with a diameter of 500 mm were laid with gaps over a 2.17 km section; pipelines and shut-off valves were not replaced in the market area; dismantled fences were not restored. Some materials listed in the certificates were not installed and remain in storage.
The overstatement of the cost of construction and installation works amounted to 128.9 million tenge, which was paid by the customer for unperformed work.
Temirtau: Construction of Gas Distribution Networks
In November 2024, a compliance audit was conducted for the project “Construction of gas distribution networks in the city of Temirtau (Phases II and III)” from the AGDS "Temirtau" of the MG "Sary-Arka."
The customer was the “Department of Construction of Temirtau.” Funding in 2024 totaled 4,570 million tenge, including transfers from the National Fund and the local budget.
The audit results showed that:
under contracts with "Aliya-Service" LLP, advance payments of KZT 201.9 million and KZT 190.8 million were transferred 15–20 working days late;
no guarantee deposits totaling almost KZT 150 million were secured for this contractor;
during the implementation of the third stage of gas distribution networks by the contractor "AKBARS STROY Ltd" LLP, the customer notified the treasury of the procurement results with a delay of 8 working days.
Karaganda: development of the gas transportation system
In December 2024, auditors reviewed the projects of the “Department of Construction of Karaganda” aimed at developing the gas transportation system.
Project funding totaled over 5,000 million tenge: 238 million from the National Fund, 3,800 million from the regional budget, and 1,000 million from the local budget.
The compliance audit revealed the following:
the contractor, Aliya-Service LLP, received an advance payment of 352.6 million tenge, which exceeded the contractual limit by 31.9 million tenge; the contractor also failed to withhold a guarantee deposit of 221 million tenge;
the contractor MBK Qurylys LLP submitted invoices for 484 million tenge for materials without confirmation of the work that had been paid for; in addition, the customer paid over 900 million tenge for the 6th start-up complex, of which 119 million tenge was for work that had not been performed;
the contractor Grand Tower Service LLP has delayed the provision of contract security in the amount of 1.19 million tenge.
Balkhash: reconstruction of the embankment and heating networks
In October 2024, the activities of the State Institution “Department of Housing and Communal Services, Passenger Transport and Motorways of the City of Balkhash” were audited.
The audit covered the reconstruction projects of the embankment and the heating supply system.
It was established that:
during the reconstruction of the embankment (1st stage), the contractor "Balqash Zhibek Zholy" LLP received 1,625 million tenge, but there are no documents for 414 million tenge;
for the second stage, the contractor Rigolit LLP received 1,445 million tenge, with only 963 million tenge worth of work confirmed. Work worth 337 million tenge was paid for without confirmation, and small architectural forms worth 348 million tenge were not installed;
During the reconstruction of the heating system in the village of Sayak, the contractor Kostanayselkhvodo-stroy LLP received payment of 59.6 million tenge for unjustified work.
The contractor SAPA QURYLIS 2007 LLP received more than 4,000 million tenge for the reconstruction of heating networks, but the thickness of the pipe insulation was reduced from 150 mm to 100 mm, which led to an overstatement of the cost by 54.3 million tenge.
Thus, based on the results of the audits, the amounts of the established financial violations are ordered to be returned to the state budget.
The audit results confirm the need to strengthen control over the targeted use of budget funds and increase the responsibility of contractors.