The Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) has referred a questionable public procurement contract by "Bulgartransgaz" related to the "Chiren" gas storage facility.
ACF legal expert Lora Georgieva commented: "The ACF team came across several indicators of misuse of European Union public finances in the procurement documentation. Therefore, we call on the European institutions to conduct a detailed investigation."
Suspicious circumstances
According to the ACF's revelations, the estimated value of the procurement contract was unreasonably inflated by over 100 percent above the most advantageous offer. For six wells, "Bulgartransgaz" has set a price of 109.5 million leva, although the international company RM Lucas Kazakhstan LLP has offered a significantly lower indicative offer - 26.5 million leva for three wells.
"According to international practice, market consultations are held in order to optimize the public finances of the European Union. The lowest proposed price, which can possibly be indexed with an inflation index, is justifiably taken into account. Instead, in this case, an estimated value exceeding the indicative price by more than 100 percent has been set," adds Lora Georgieva.
Safety risks
AKF Director Boyko Stankushev warns: "As a result of the actions of the management of 'Bulgartransgaz' EAD, the implementation of this strategic project for Bulgaria and the European Union may be delayed indefinitely, in the event of serious doubts about achieving the project's objectives and ensuring the safety of operation."