Parliament asked to probe €1.68 million gas meter scandal at Chisinau-Gaz
Energy analyst Sergiu Tofilat has formally urged the Parliamentary Commission for Economy, Budget, and Finance to hold public hearings regarding €1.68 million (approx. 33 million MDL) in unjustified procurement costs at Chisinau-Gaz.
Tofilat, a former member of the Moldovagaz Observer Board, revealed during a press conference on January 8 that a 2024 audit by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) uncovered the irregularities.
The audit reportedly found that between 2021 and 2024, Chisinau-Gaz purchased household gas meters through intermediaries rather than direct authorized distributors. This practice significantly inflated costs for the state-controlled utility.
Allegations of institutional silence
Tofilat claims that while ANRE excluded these wasteful costs from the consumer tariff, it failed to notify criminal investigators or the public. He argues this omission violates national laws on state inspections.
The analyst also pointed to other irregularities, including the purchase of pressure sensors at double the market price. He has requested that ANRE’s leadership be summoned to explain why the Prosecutor's Office was not alerted.
The formal request was also copied to the Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, and the Ministry of Energy to ensure oversight of the investigation.
Moldovagaz and ANRE responses
Vadim Ceban, interim chairman of Moldovagaz, dismissed the claims on January 9. He noted that Tofilat himself had previously supported these budget allocations in November 2024.
Ceban stated that all gas distribution companies in the group have challenged the ANRE audit results in court. He emphasized that the company remains open to cooperating with any investigation.
ANRE also rejected the accusations of a cover-up. The regulator clarified that excluding the costs from the tariff is the "most severe" measure allowed under its mandate to protect consumers.
The agency maintained that it only refers cases to prosecutors when clear signs of a crime exist. In this instance, ANRE classified the findings as "economic inefficiencies" rather than criminal acts.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
