In the East Kazakhstan Region, a dispute continues to escalate over the intelligent public and road safety system 'Sergek'.
Sergek Group refuted claims that after the expiration of the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement in July 2024, it left non-functional cameras without software in the region.
Recall that in 2018, Korkem Telekom LLP, part of Sergek Group, signed a PPP agreement with the Passenger Transport Department, the East Kazakhstan Region Police Department, and the Centre for Information Technologies to provide the Sergek system for a period of five years. After the main term ended, the agreement was extended for another two months – until 30 June 2024.
The situation escalated in August last year, when Sergek Group's Director of Communications, Assel Kuzhakhmetova, stated that the company was not allowed to participate in a new tender due to "non-compliance with qualification requirements".
Furthermore, the company reported possible violations in the public procurement process and filed complaints with the relevant authorities. For its part, the East Kazakhstan Region Passenger Transport Department insisted that the competition conditions were the same for all participants.
Compliance with the tender procedures was reviewed by the Department of Internal State Audit (DISA) and the Committee of Internal State Audit (CISA). Following the DISA review, no violations were found.
In December last year, the Akim of the East Kazakhstan Region, Yermek Kosherbayev, stated that the company had dismantled all equipment and networks, leaving only "bare cameras".
According to him, the authorities offered the developer of the Sergek system – Korkem Telekom LLP – to continue maintaining the system for the period of equipment installation by the new contractor, but the company refused.
For their part, representatives of Sergek Group said that after the contract ended, they transferred to the state partner all components of the system, including equipment, login credentials, and access passwords.
According to them, the system retained full functionality, and claims about its obsolescence are untrue.
Sergek Group emphasised its readiness to resolve disputed issues within the framework of the law and to defend its rights through the courts.
The East Kazakhstan Region Akimat notes that the new contractor – Satory Company LTD LLP – will provide a wider range of services, and, crucially, the hardware and software system will belong to the state.
Recall that in June last year, the editorial team of FBRK reported in detail on the Intelligent Road Control System (IRCS) project, which was being jointly developed by Freedom Telecom and Sergek Group.
We also analysed the intelligent public and road safety system 'Sergek' project, which throughout its entire period of operation was the subject of numerous disputes over the safety and effectiveness of the system.