Criticism Mounts Over Consultant Pay in State-Run Monopolies
Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Utility Services, has publicly criticized the substantial fees paid to consultants working for state-owned monopolies, particularly in the energy sector, and raised concerns about the financial activities of 'Ukrposhta,' the national postal service. Speaking on the YouTube channel 'Kommersant Ukrainsky,' he highlighted the significant monthly retainers received by advisors on the supervisory boards of energy companies.
According to Popenko, consultants at these firms receive monthly fees amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. He cited an example where the General Director of 'Ukrposhta,' Igor Smilyansky, earns a salary of 700,000 hryvnias, while foreign experts at 'Ukrenergo' were reportedly paid $30,000 per month.
'How did it happen that they hired these unknown experts... They receive salaries from $10,000 to $30,000 per month. Imagine that! Our Smilyansky looks modest compared to the Ukrenergo experts. He has a salary of 700,000 hryvnias, while foreign experts were getting $30,000,' noted Oleg Popenko.
Furthermore, he expressed alarm over the apparent lack of clear job descriptions for these experts, stating that 'they have no job descriptions. They are nobodies. They don't have to show up for work. Zero accountability.' Oleg Popenko also mentioned the financial operations of 'Ukrposhta,' which transferred over 100 million hryvnias to the charitable foundation of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), an institution he linked to former minister Timofiy Mylovanov.
Lack of Spending Transparency in State Enterprises
Popenko's statements raise critical questions about the transparency and justification of expenditures within state-owned enterprises, underscoring a pressing need for reforms in the management of public resources. These revelations come at a time when Ukraine is under international pressure to improve governance and curb corruption in its public institutions.
This scenario highlights an urgent necessity to review compensation policies in state companies, as high consultant fees risk public outrage and cast doubt on the efficient use of public funds. Consequently, developments in this area may spark a broader debate on establishing new standards for management and expenditure oversight within the state sector.