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“Friendly Shares” in Kutaisi Transport Scheme or Tender Fraud?

December 9, 2008

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

The Kutaisi Office of the Republic Party accuses the Kutaisi city government for lobbying transport route business. In particular, the Republic Party representatives accuse the Kutaisi Mayor of using his position for his own personal benefit.

Vladimer Nakashidze, chairperson of the Kutaisi Office of the Republic Party says “The transport routs are controlled by the Kutaisi local government. My allegation is based on what the local government is actually doing. I mean the tender that was held by the Kutaisi City Hall was done with grave violations; all kinds of norms were breached. Consequently tender produced bad result. I think the fact that old transport routs were ignored and new ones were established, which demonstrates that the local government is controlling the transport business. In short, Kutaisi’s officials are only trying to fulfill their own interests and not those of the public,” stated

According to resolution # 145 of the Kutaisi Municipality Board dating February 27, 2008 some routes were outright abolished in Kutaisi. Five new routs were established in their place. Four out of these five were given to transporting firm Imertrans. This very act provides the foundation for Republicans serious accusations of impropriety.

“We accuse the Kutaisi Mayor and head of Infrastructure Service in lobbying their friends’ interests,” stated Nakashidze.

The Imertrans owner is the former employee of the Kutaisi City Transport Service. Nakashidze’s allegation is based on the fact that the owner of Imertrans and the local government representatives continue to have friendly relations. “It is unacceptable that four transport routs out of five were given to one Transport Company,” stated Vladimer Nakashidze.

Naturally the local government representatives never take such kinds of accusations that seriously. Kakha Dalakishvili, head of Kutaisi Infrastructure City Service: “These accusations are absurd. Transporters had 2 weeks to prepare their tenders. Everyone could have lodged an application for tender in time. However, only two transportation firms participated in the tender. One of these two was Imertrans.  I think there is nothing to argue about in this case.”

The Kutaisi body of self governance discussed the new route scheme of the transport several days ago. The number of buses have increased and mini buses – limited under this new scheme. The local government representatives say that “they preserved the interests of society by doing things in such a manner”, a statement that the Republicans do not agree.

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