Kazakhstan halts $170M public fund misuse in Atbasar fountain project

Prosecutors in Akmola Region have stopped the misallocation of over 170 million tenge from the public budget. The funds were tied to a controversial reconstruction project in Atbasar District. The construction department of Atbasar District had signed a contract worth over 170 million tenge. The deal involved the reconstruction of a local fountain. The chosen contractor had previously been blacklisted for irregularities.

An oversight inspection later revealed issues with the procurement process. Despite earlier positive reviews of the project’s design and cost estimates, the contract was annulled. The approvals had been granted more than two years before the signing. The annulment prevents the misuse of public funds. The case highlights the importance of compliance checks in procurement. The blacklisted firm will not receive the contracted amount.