Contractors perplexed by mixed-up work order in Balkhash, initially focusing on asphalt, then moving to equipment.

Contractors perplexed by mixed-up work order in Balkhash, initially focusing on asphalt, then moving to equipment.

In recent days, several cities in Kazakhstan have been facing issues with botched city repairs and beautification projects, causing concern among residents and officials alike.

In the city of Balhash, a botched repair job concerning the reconstruction of the second phase of the embankment has raised eyebrows. According to reports, contractors laid asphalt and cobblestones only for heavy machinery to be driven over the new surface, causing damage. The contractor responsible for the faulty renovation remains unnamed, but it has been confirmed that they will have to redo the work at their own expense. A video of the damaged repair job has surfaced on social media.

The city akimat of Balhash has distanced itself from the botched repair job, stating that the damaged section is not related to them. The press service of the Balhash akimat made a statement regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, in the city of Almaty, a rainstorm on September 16 exposed several city issues, including non-functioning drainage systems, major traffic jams, and the quality of roads after repair. Almaty City Assembly deputy and environmentalist Timur Eleusizov named the reasons behind such incidents in the city's beautification, citing ineffective spending on projects like endless cobblestone laying.

Residents of Almaty are currently complaining about dug-up streets and courtyards after heat network repairs. The city akimat, however, assured that contractors will restore the landscaping on 25 objects by September 25.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev criticized akims for ineffective spending on such projects in his State of the Nation address on September 8. He stated that funds are spent on such work instead of solving priority tasks, leading people to move to Nur-Sultan for better access to social services and benefits.

The botched beautification project in Balhash is not an isolated incident. In his address, Tokayev also criticized the endless cobblestone laying in Almaty, which has been a source of frustration for many residents.

As cities across Kazakhstan continue to work on various infrastructure projects, it is crucial that they prioritize quality workmanship and effective spending to ensure the satisfaction of their citizens.