Azerigaz - Legal Problems Persist

Production discipline and the rule of law in Production Association (PA) Azerigas in the broad sense is still a headache for consumers and for the leadership of the State Oil Company SOCAR, which includes the gas distribution organization.

A notable fact is the case with a two-year history, which was caused by the Sabunchu branch of PA Azerigas. In July 2012, as a result of strong winds a tilt tree damaged a gas meter connection of the subscriber Zeynab Sadigova (address: Sabunchi 146, Yeni Sakha-1) with a gas pipe, which led to its damage.

Representatives of Azerigaz tried to put the blame on the subscriber of the damaged counter Sadygova and required to pay for the replacement of the meter. After a written request (№293) from the agency Turan to SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev on the actions of gas industry workers on August 7, the commission of Azerigas recognized external environmental effects on the counter, and photographs were taken of the place where the counter was. Also the laboratory of Azerigaz noted the absence of internal interference in the counter.

Then, on September 13 the meter was replaced in accordance with Article 9 of the Law On Gas Supply due to the gas distribution company. Act No 301650 was signed on the establishment of a new meter, which was signed by representatives of Azerigaz and the subscriber.

The story should have been completed. But, more than two years later, the new owner of the counter, Abdul Ali Hasanov was presented an invoice for AZN 200 from the Sabunchu department of Azerigas for the counter installed two years ago. Before this Hasanov’s house was illegally disconnected from the gas supply without telling him or settling the issue.

But the most deplorable fact is that Hasanov was not presented a legal document (bill) on the payment. The representative of the local branch of Azerigas, Shakir Agayev presented Hasanov a Subscriber Balance, on which it was written by hand "damage caused by the counter at 200 manat," as well as some number 1102AQ10100188453.

Director of Turan IA, Mehman Aliyev, who introduced himself to Agayev as a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic, in a telephone conversation tried to explain to him about the illegality of disconnecting Hasanov off the gas supply, as well as about the illegality of the so-called payment over the counter, and asked for a legal document justifying the payment for the meter installed in 2012, as well as the legal payment document. At that, the man said he does what he believes is fit and he is not afraid of anyone.

In connection with the terminally ill and specific situation in PA Azerigas, Turan IA is forced to revert to SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev, as the story of Sadygova, Hasanov and Agayev has a wider sense and is indicative. The system Azerigaz, which works directly with 6.4 million consumers, needs educational work and bringing documentation in accordance with the law and Decree No 80 «On approval of rules for use of gas" of the Cabinet of Ministers. In the end, these stories certainly harm the image of the State Oil Company, which successfully promotes its business abroad. -0-