The AMCU is investigating companies linked to the head of the Voznesensk district for possible collusion in a tender

Renovated shelter at School No. 3 in Pivdennoukrayinsk. Archive photo: NikVesti

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has begun reviewing a case regarding possible collusion between two companies during their participation in a tender for the renovation of a lyceum in Pivdennoukrainsk in 2024. The case involves LLC Hospodar-2 and LLC Persha Ukrainska Budivelna, which are linked to Oleksandr Kukuruza, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council and head of the Voznesensk District State Administration.

The opening of proceedings on the grounds of violation of the legislation on the protection of economic competition in the Southern Interregional Territorial Branch of the AMCU was announced on 5 March.

The case concerns their participation in a tender for major repairs conducted in 2024 by the Construction and Repair Department of the Yuzhnoukrainsk City Council. The procurement concerned major repairs with the replacement of windows in Lyceum №2 on Shkilny Boulevard. According to preliminary research, the AMCU branch found circumstances that may indicate collusion between the tender participants.

Tender for the renovation of a school in Yuzhnoukrainsk, in which both companies participated. Screenshot from the Prozorro website

Both companies participated in the tender. The bid from Hospodar-2 LLC was 9.9 million hryvnia, and the bid from Persha Ukrainska Budivelna LLC was 10.5 million hryvnias. Hospodar-2's bid was subsequently rejected. The contract was awarded to BK Zatyshnyi Dim LLC for more than 10 million hryvnia.

Bids from companies. Screenshot from the Prozorro website

It should be noted that both companies are involved in an investigation by Nikcenter. Journalists have established that several companies close to Oleksandr Kukuruza, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council and head of the Voznesensk District State Administration, received contracts worth over 600 million hryvnias for repairs and construction in the Voznesensk and Pervomaisk districts.

Deputy of the Mykolaiv Regional Council Oleksandr Kukuruza. Photo: Voznesensk District State Administration

In particular, the owner of the company Hospodar-2 is Pervomaisk resident Petro Pestov, who is closely acquainted with the family of the head of the district military administration, Oleksandr Kukuruza. In the last four years alone, the firm has received state contracts worth over 235 million hryvnias.

The company Persha Ukrainska Budivelna LLC was established in 2022 and has already received state contracts worth approximately 230 million hryvnias. Its owner is Mykola Dekhtiarenko. Although the company is registered in Kyiv, according to the tender documentation, its production facilities are located in Pervomaisk.