18 billion for the protection of energy facilities: The Audit Office revealed a disaster

An expert revealed the failure in preparing Ukrainian cities for winter

Utility specialist Oleg Popenko emphasized that local and central authorities failed to prepare Ukrainian cities for the approaching winter. He stressed this during a conversation with Yuriy Romanenko on a television channel.

Popenko published data from the official report of the Audit Office, which, according to him, indicates the failure of the program to protect energy facilities in Ukraine.

The expert cited shocking facts that confirm the ineffective use of funds and negligence in performing duties during the challenging heating season. In the context of the leadership’s calls of 'Naftogaz' for gas conservation, the conclusions of the Audit Office appear particularly outrageous.

The head of 'Naftogaz' Serhiy Koretsky urged Ukrainians to save gas, stressing the importance of every cubic meter saved. Such rhetoric indicates a critical situation in the energy sector.

Summary of the Audit Office Report

According to the findings of the report on the program for building fortifications of energy facilities, implemented under the leadership of Mustafa Naiyem, most of these facilities were not completed. Only three out of 44 planned facilities were fully ready, indicating unsatisfactory results.

The expert pointed out numerous financial violations, including inflated contract prices, exaggerated volumes of work, and a huge debt to contractors due to the non-provision of debt obligations.

• inflated contract price;
• exaggerated types, volumes, and costs of work;
• non-provision of debt obligations, leading to huge debts to contractors.

Popenko emphasized that 18 billion hryvnias were spent, but the results of the program significantly differ from those planned. The expert appealed to law enforcement agencies and asked why responsible individuals do not bear responsibility for such a situation, which threatens Ukraine’s energy system.

Popenko urged to avoid inaction and corruption, which make Ukraine's energy system vulnerable to external attacks, and stressed that facilities could have been protected, but this was not done, wasting funds in vain.

Earlier, information surfaced about possible changes in gas bills.

During a television appearance, the utility expert expressed his outrage at the ineffective preparation of Ukrainian cities for winter, citing the official report of the Audit Office. The report also revealed numerous financial violations during the program for building fortifications of energy facilities, provoking significant losses and threatening the country’s energy system. Furthermore, the situation is exacerbated by the head of 'Naftogaz' calling for gas conservation amid the critical energy crisis.