TCO social program “Igilik” is left without changes

By Laura Suleimenova

Social and infrastructure budget of “Igilik” program implemented by Tengizchevroil LLP will remain the same - $25 million in 2015, as well as the budget of social investments program (SIP) - $1 million.

This was informed by Rzabek Artygaliyev, TCO government and public relations  manager at the general meeting on the results of social investments program implementation in 2014:

- We haven’t changed “Igilik” budget for 2015 so far, as well as the budget of social investments program. We understand the social importance of these projects. And in the future everything will depend on the market. As you know, the oil prices continue to fall.

The representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that received grants from TCO presented their reports about implementation of their projects in 2014 at this meeting - “Nezavisimoye pokoleniye Kazakhstana” LLP, the Association of family doctors of Kazakhstan, “Alshy” Fund, International research and scientific exchange boards “IREX” and “PYXERAGLOBAL”,  Central Asia Eurasia Fund (FECA), Zeinolla Kabdolov’s Fund.

As for the projects to be implemented in 2015, according to Artygaliyev out of 50 applications they selected 6:

- We select the projects according to certain criteria. The timely submission of the projects is also important: those who failed to submit on time were taken from the list. Therefore, please be attentive when we announce tenders.

Last year $25 million of Igilik program were spent on construction of kindergartens and schools in Atyrau and Zhyloi District, as well as gardening and construction of parks in Kulsary.

Let us remind that soon after he was appointed to the position of the Governor of Atyrau Oblast Baktykozha Izmukhambetov criticized TCO for “irrational planning” of the program, in particular, the remaining unused funds during the year “burn out” instead of carrying over to the next year. After that it was decided to transfer to a three-year cycle. Currently the “Igilik” program for 2013-2015 is being implemented that was developed and supervised by the joint working commission consisting of the regional government and TCO representatives.