Jengish Toktorbaev, former mayor of Osh, responded to rumors in an interview with "Azattyk" that he left the city with a debt of 12 billion soms.
— How did the authorities explain your resignation, Mr. Jengishbek?
— I was appointed mayor of the city of Osh by the esteemed President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich and General Kamchybek Kydyrshaevich. My term lasted just under a year and two months — one year, two months, and four days. During this time, we successfully completed all the tasks set before us. I am proud that I can look the people of Kyrgyzstan and the residents of the Osh region in the eye. I left of my own accord to take care of my health.
— There is a discussion on social media that the city allegedly has a debt of 12 billion soms. Is this a reason for criticism? Were there attempts to siphon billions with the support of Tashiev for a "demonstrative result"?
— This is an absolute lie. I have always told the truth to the public. Kamchybek Kydyrshaevich is my relative and classmate, so I cannot speak poorly of him. My relationship with President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich is also good; we have known each other for a long time. During my leadership, we laid about 100 kilometers of asphalt, of which 70 kilometers were financed from the local budget. While social media claims that "the city has debts of 12 billion soms," in reality, we owe contractors about 750 million soms for capital construction and about 1.5 billion soms for road management. In total, the debt amounts to approximately 2.3 billion soms.
— Entrepreneurs during your mayoralty complained about violations of private property rights. Why did investments decrease?
— We cleared all the banks of the canals and demolished illegal constructions. The demolition was particularly active on Alisher Navoi Street, where up to 87–90% of the buildings were constructed illegally, but we did not encroach on private property. Investments were not harmed.
— Were bilateral contracts concluded for projects during your time? For example, during the renovation of the medical center or the mayor's office, it is claimed that there were no contracts. Why did the workers stop their activities there after your departure?
— As for the mayor's office building, some journalists asked: "Is this necessary?" The building is very old, built in 1973, and is 55 years old. The roof was leaking, and the heating systems and pipes were worn out. We decided to carry out a complete renovation: roof, facade, interior work — this required about 600 million soms. I am ready to provide all the documents.
As for the polyclinic, there was insufficient funding allocated, but the new mayor Janar Kubanychovich will complete the work. I did not have time to continue, so I left.
— There were also accusations that you used materials from factories in Jalal-Abad and other places for personal gain.
— I do not own a brick or concrete plant. All materials were purchased from existing manufacturers.
— During your mayoralty, construction began in the Ene-Sai microdistrict. Did the transformation of the 17 hectares of water area occur?
— Construction began only after obtaining all the necessary permits from the government and the Ministry of Construction. We needed to quickly relocate families whose homes were demolished, so the work was carried out at an accelerated pace.
— In Manas, your hotels "Dastan" and "Dastan Grand" were mentioned. Are they closed?
— I am 58 years old, and I have never worked in public service before. Yes, I own these hotels, and they operate without any interference from the state. The accusations of illegal construction are untrue.
— Your relative and friend Kamchybek Tashiev has resigned. How do you assess the illegal actions of the State Committee for National Security employees under his leadership?
— I am not aware of the details; I do not want to interfere in politics. I am focused on my work. We are state personnel, not personal personnel of Kamchybek Kydyrshaevich or Sadyr Nurgozhoev.
The record "Former mayor of Osh refuted rumors about the city's debt obligations amounting to 12 billion soms" first appeared on K-News.
