Skopje, 27 December 2023 (MIA) - The State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption at its 97th session on Wednesday confirmed suspicions of illegal procurement of mazut for the needs of the Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) and thermal power plant (TEC) Negotino by oil and natural gas company RKM Skopje, as well as illegal sale of night-time surplus electricity by ESM.

According to a report by anonymous applicant, the total purchasing value of mazut amounts to Mden 7,500 billion, or EUR 212 million, and it was supposed to be carried out by RKM Skopje, but there were doubts that the foreseen quantity of mazut could be delivered in such a short amount of time. Almost 195 tons of mazut were supposed to be purchased. Additionally, according to public records, ESM sold surplus night-time electricity to a firm for a much lower market price, according to data published by HUPEX.

After reviewing the report and other documentation, the Commission found that in an ESM tender documentation, economic operators were not asked to prove their technical capacity for delivering mazut, while purchasing agreements for mazut with RKM Skopje were concluded for a price lower than the one offered, for the same quantity. 

The Commission also confirmed that the first purchasing agreement for mazut with RKM Skopje was concluded through an annex without first determining the required quantity and without determining the price and technical conditions of delivery, which made it possible for the same quantity of mazut to be delivered for a much higher price. Whereas the second agreement with RKM, although expired and legally invalid, was concluded with an annex in order to pay additional funds, without specifying the delivery of an additional quantity of mazut.

According to accounting documentation from TEC Negotino, the delivered mazut from the two agreements is of a smaller quantity by around 18.000 tons, RKM purchased mazut for a smaller quantity than what was stated as delivered, and showed less income in the balance sheets compared to the delivery agreements made for mazut.

"Circumstances have been identified that point to suspicion of insider trading on the energy market, tax evasion and erosion of the so-called income solidarity tax by RKM, further suspicion point to a monopoly and hostile association on the mazut market in the Republic of North Macedonia, with the aim of gouging prices and disrupting the mazut market in the country, increasing the price of electricity to the detriment of the domestic market, citizens and public interest," Commission member Goran Trpenoski said.

The Commission decided to submit an initiative for further proceedings to the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption, the Government, the Commission for Protection of Competition, Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Revenue Office, and Financial Police Office.

Today's session adopted the Work Program of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the annual plan for monitoring property situation and interests for 2024.

Commission members adopted the annual plan for anti-corruption inspection of legislation for 2024 and a rulebook on changing and adding to the rulebook on the form and content of the statement on assists and interests. They also adopted a functional analysis of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, anti-corruption programme for public enterprises, and state owned stock companies, and an additional act on the law on protection of personal data. ssh/nn/
 

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