Kolektor CPG, the main contractor for the works on the second railway track between Divača and Koper, has requested an additional 350 million euros, while the company responsible for the project – 2TDK – has described the request as unreasonable, state media reported. The request has only further raised questions about the functioning of the construction sector under the current government, and the role of Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek and her close associate, Secretary Jernej Pavlič.
According to our information, Jernej Pavlič, a well-known confidant of the Minister of Infrastructure, is a “regular visitor” at the company 2TDK, while our sources claim that he is in weekly communication with key stakeholders in the construction sector. “Pavlič even has the nickname ‘pickpocket’ in certain circles,” we have learned.
With the arrival of the Robert Golob government, infrastructure projects have seen unprecedented cost increases, raising many questions about the rationality and transparency of public spending. The latest request by Kolektor CPG for an additional 350 million euros has only further underlined suspicions that there are pressures behind the scenes, suggesting possible collusion between politicians and selected construction companies.
Pavlič – the “pickpocket” of the construction cartel
Our sources in construction circles claim that Pavlič calls influential representatives of the construction sector on a weekly basis. It is not entirely clear what his demands are, but they are said to be about “bonuses, commissions. There are many ways to launder money in the construction industry.” After a short pause, our source added: “Pavlič even has the nickname ‘pickpocket’ in certain circles.” The nickname could be attributed to his alleged role as an intermediary in financial flows within the alleged cartel.
“It is a constellation currently led by Alenka Bratušek’s assistant, her eternal companion Jernej Pavlič, in combination with Kolektor’s Mark Trampuž. Quite simply, a cartel has been set up. A silent coalition. This cartel is getting such good money that it is willing to play the dumping game on the same market in other deals,” explained our source.
It should be noted that Pavlič apparently also maintains good communication with 2TDK, as he is said to visit the company on a regular basis. We sent questions to 2TDK about this allegation and received the following reply, which we are publishing in its entirety: “Jernej Pavlič is a representative of the Ministry of Infrastructure who occasionally attends meetings at which all the essential information on the progress of the construction of the second track is given. According to the Act on the construction, management and operation of the second track of the Divača-Koper railway line (ZIUGDT), the Ministry of Infrastructure supervises the implementation of the project, so it is crucial that it is provided with comprehensive information. The company 2TDK is obliged by law and the concession contract to report regularly on the project to the competent ministry, and regular communication between all stakeholders is maintained through meetings involving the various stakeholders involved in the project.”
Ignoring the requirement for visits?
We also requested a list of visits for the last 6 months from the company 2TDK, but in their reply, they ignored this request. We have asked them again for a list of visits, and we have also contacted the company Kolektor and asked them to clarify the nature of the relationship between Pavlič and Director Trampuž. We have not yet received a reply.
Alenka Bratušek has, in the past, been regarded as a political figure under whom infrastructure projects have achieved incredible cost increases. A year ago, the media were already pointing out the skyrocketing prices of the railway station projects in Maribor, Jesenice, Nova Gorica and Pragersko. The opposition also warned of huge overpayments, with overpayments of 210 million euros on three station projects alone.
Janez Škrabec and Riko – a case of exploitation of public funds
The case of the upgrade of the Jesenice railway junction provides further evidence of non-transparent project management. From an initial 80 million euros, the price rose to an incredible 170 million euros, with the lowest bid being submitted by the company Riko, owned by Janez Škrabec. According to insiders, this sum also includes an additional 20 million euros that Riko will keep as net profit, without owning a single machine to carry out the work.
Cartel-building mechanisms
Officially, the tenders do not look controversial, but the small print hides key details. In some cases, the technical terms of tenders are designed to suit only one contractor. This allows the selected companies to dominate the tendering process, leading to a lack of competition and high prices. The above examples and facts point to the existence of a construction cartel which, under the auspices of the government, obtains millions of public funds. The question remains, how long can such a system continue to operate, and will anyone be held accountable for these alleged financial irregularities?
T. B.
