On September 28 of the current year, the organization “Stop Corruption” has released a video appeal addressed to “Infrastructure Construction Companies’ Association” and its member companies.
Despite the fact that the video did not actually have any responders, the Association cannot leave this unreasonable and defamatory statement unanswered. “Infrastructure Construction Companies’ Association” was established in 2015. It is a transparent, impartial and apolitical organization that unites under one umbrella companies whose more than 50% are whitelisted by the state procurement agency and most of the rest does not take part in state procurement.
The objectives of the Association are to develop local construction sector, resulting in more local staff being employed, which is clear by various seminars, workshops and trainings that where conducted by us. In general, taking into account the international practice, the goal of creating associations is to protect the interests of members, reflecting the legislative initiatives, the implementation of standards and the rights of members, in accordance with the norms established by legislation and business ethics.
These objectives serve as “Infrastructure Construction Companies’ Association”, as well as many sectoral and business associations in Georgia. According to the representatives of the “Stop Corruption”, the association member companies “control the tenders” in the framework of the Association …
We declare that the statements of the “Stop the Corruption” are slanderous and false information based on their own imagination and opinions, lacking any evidence.The view, on the other hand, should be based on factual and truthful facts, especially when it is infringing upon honor, dignity and business reputation.
The video addresses the Chairman of the Association, Zviad Toidze, who allegedly founded the Association and was only then appointed as a Director of LLC “IN-SI. Stop the “Corruption” give false information, which is public and can be easily doublechecked; Zviad Toidze was elected as the chairman at the General Meeting of the Association (22.06.2015), while he has been head of LLC “IN-SI” (since 2014). The video also adresses the ongoing project of LLC “IN-SI”- In Tbilisi, Atoneli Street (from Khidi street to Mtkvari street), Pkhovi, R. Tabukashvili, A. Purtseladze, on the reconstruction of engineering networks in the area of Orbeliani. According to the video, the project was given to “IN-SI” with simplified purchase and it violates the terms of the contract. Clarification: “IN-SI” company has for a long time been whitelisted, in accordance with the relevant legislations and represents a company that has been acting in good faith and including this project has always worked in accordance with the law and contract terms. This is a public information that anyone can doublecheck in case of interest. In addition, it is noteworthy that no member company of the Association has been given a project based on negotiations with one person. Prior to the contracting process, the procuring entity is conducting a minimum price quotation and this price survey provides the adequacy of the price. The statement talks about a director of the member company of the association, about the misappropriation of 50 million on the conviction and further plea agreement. This statement is also false; The Director of “NCC” convicted for misappropriation for 50 million, nor has it been released in the plea agreement.
Similar to “IN-SI “NCC” also represents the company registered in the white list implementing successful projects.
According to the statement made by the “Stop Corruption” the Association member companies do not have right to be united in one association and participate in same tenders, according to these statement, if companies do so they should be automatically disqualified – neither European nor Georgian legislation states any regulations concerning restriction for members of same association to participate in tenders or about automatic disqualifications. Naturally, members of any sectoral associations are competitors as well and in the scope of healthy competition it is only appropriate for them to participate in the same tenders.
Additionally, we also talk about the “clans” and “relatives in government circles” by the members of the “Stop Corruption”, which is quite unserious and cheaper to talk about, which enters the scope of business ethics for access to the discussion. Additionally, about the “clans” and “relatives in government circles” that was stated in the video, it is quite unserious and gossip level information, which for us is beyond business ethics discussion. The “Infrastructure Construction Companies’ Association” demands the public movement “Stop Corruption”, to publicly deny the statements of honor, dignity and business reputation expressed against our association and members before October 6 of current year. Otherwise, the association and its member companies will be obliged to address the measures envisaged by the legislation in order to protect our honor, dignity and business reputation.
We also note that since the establishment of the Association is open for any interested organization (whether it is business, governmental or non-governmental sector) and is ready to get reasonable critical considerations and to discuss the work of the association in detail.