Naftogaz forecasts state budget will receive more than UAH 5 bln from gas distributors under its control in 2024

MOSCOW. Dec 29 (Interfax) - Naftogaz Group forecasts the Ukrainian state budget will receive more than UAH 5 billion from the gas distribution network operators under its control in 2024.

"This [completion of the integration process of gas distribution network operators] is not just about safeguarding 50,000 jobs and the billions that will fill the state treasury. It is also an opportunity for good gas supply management, and a new convenient service for almost 10 million customers in the form of one easy-to-understand payment," Ukrainian media reported, quoting a statement by Naftogaz CEO Alexei Chernyshov, posted on the company's website.

He said putting the regional enterprises under the government's day-to-day control had also enabled it to "put an end to various schemes that gave the state budget a shortfall of billions of hryvnias."

A court transferred private corporate rights that had been seized in 26 regional and municipal gas distribution system operators to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency in May 2022, at the request of the State Bureau of Investigation,

Naftogaz set up Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC in September 2022 to manage gas distribution through local pipelines and the Cabinet issued a resolution on November 25, 2022 to transfer state gas distribution networks to the new company.

Naftogaz said on December 19 that it had completed the integration of the regional and local gas distribution companies, increasing the number of gas distributors folded into the state oil and gas group to 27, as planned before the end of the year.