Kazakhstan News

THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN SHYMKENT WAS IN PRIVATE HANDS FOR 30 YEARS

In the city of Shymkent in the 1990s, former akim Anarbek Orman transferred a strategically important municipal facility - the city water supply system - for privatization.
ALTN.News
Mar 10, 2026 - 01:22
 0  2
Photo taken from open sources

At that time, water supply and sewerage networks were divided into several companies and later sold. Over time, these enterprises were consolidated into a single organization - “Vodnye Resursy-Marketing” (VRM).

For many years, residents of the city have circulated discussions suggesting that the actual controlling person and owner of this system is Anarbek Orman himself.

Later, government authorities paid attention to the situation, and the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) conducted an inspection. During the inspection, numerous violations and questionable financial transactions were identified.

As a result, the akimat of Shymkent filed a lawsuit and proved in court that the privatization transactions carried out 30 years ago were illegal.

According to the court decision, the water infrastructure of Shymkent must be returned to state ownership. The city akimat also promised to reduce water tariffs by at least 30%.

However, discussions are now circulating in the city claiming that intermediaries are allegedly being sought who could help influence the revision of the court decision. According to rumors, more than 10 million dollars and even the Ramada by Wyndham Shymkent hotel could be offered for this.

This information has not been officially confirmed, but it is actively discussed in the city.

Source:
https://t.me/kozachkow/13086
https://t.me/kozachkow/13088