Ministry of Regional Development: State has concluded contracts for over BGN 1 billion for illegal construction of infrastructure projects

A check found that the state has concluded contracts for over BGN 1 billion for illegal construction of infrastructure projects. This became clear at a press conference at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works on January 9.

"This is only the illegal construction found so far, there may be more findings. It is absolutely possible that after the local elections this wave of illegal construction, which we find in the state administration, some future mayors may find it in the local administration also," said caretaker Minister of Regional Development, Ivan Shishkov.

As an example of state money spent on illegal construction, Shishkov pointed to the case of Hemus Motorway, where more than 212 million BGN were paid in advance for construction without the necessary documents on Lots 4 and 5.

The contracts concluded for illegal repairs of the road network are for over 733 million BGN and the state has paid 50% of them so far. Among them is the repair of Trakia motorway section Chirpan - Stara Zagora.

Out of 71 inspected repairs of dams, illegal construction activities were found in 42 of them. The contracts in this case were worth more than 75 million BGN.

Seeking a solution to the problem, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has submitted a draft law to establish tolerability of the illegal constructions, but only on condition that they pass a successful inspection to prove that they comply with existing standards.

"I appeal to the National Assembly that we find a solution and a way in which this illegal construction can be regulated - that it can be checked, that protocols can be drawn up as to whether it complies with the laws. We are not proposing an amnesty, but a procedure whereby it is checked. We will make it possible for it to be declared tolerable, but only when it meets specific standards. Because now we cannot be sure that the construction meets the norms," he said.

The press conference was also attended by former caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Violeta Komitova, who is currently an MP from the “Bulgaria Ascending” Party.

She pointed out that illegal construction in the country has impressive dimensions and has been carried out during the governance of various parties.

Komitova gave the example of a sewage treatment plant in Sliven, built in 2009, which has equipment for a cost of about 30 million BGN, but could not be handed over to the Sliven Water and Sewerage Company and was not put into operation because it did not have a permit for use. At the same time, the Ministry of Regional Development continues to pay about BGN 300,000 per year for the security of the equipment that cannot be used.

Komitova supported the proposal of the Ministry of Regional Development to initiate an inspection of illegal sites and to declare tolerable those of them that meet the norms. She expressed confidence that there would be a lobby in Parliament to support it.

The press conference was attended by caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Arch. Ivan Shishkov, Deputy Minister Polya Zaneva-Dimitrova, the head of the National Construction Control Directorate Arch. Deyjana Panayotova, Eng. Ventsislav Angelov - Chairman of the Management Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency and Eng. Desislava Paunova - member of the Board of the Agency.