Prime Minister Marcel Cholaku will summon the management of Transgaz for explanations after the purchase of the latest generation iPhone. “Mr. Sterian (born Iona Sterian, head of Transgaz) has to pay for the phone from his own salary, because it is still small. I will officially ask him about it,” Marcel Čolak said on Thursday before the government meeting.

Sterian Ion, head of Transgaz.Photo: Inquam Photos / George Călin

The prime minister made these statements after HotNews.ro reported that, despite the dissatisfaction expressed after the start of the auction of the latest generation of iPhones, Transgaz continued the procedure and concluded this contract this month.

Exempted from Cholak’s budget cuts, Transgaz ended the tender for the purchase of the latest generation of iPhones and Android phones, a procedure that the prime minister expressed his displeasure with and demanded an explanation for.

Since Čolak said nothing, Transgaz went ahead with the auction and this month awarded the contract to Dante International, the company that owns eMAG.ro, the country’s largest online trading platform.

Transgaz, the national gas carrier in which the state is the majority shareholder, signed a contract with the company that owns eMAG.ro on February 14, 2024, with a total value of more than 1.38 million lei (excluding VAT), according to data from the Electronic System of Public Administration procurement (SEAP).

For this amount, which comes from Transgaz’s own funds, Dante International during the next 18 months will have to supply a maximum of 735 phones, of which a maximum of 80 iPhones of the latest generation, terminals necessary for employees to solve work tasks.

Transgaz received three bids in this auction from AS Computer Craiova, Dante International (eMAG.ro) and Union Co.

  • Read: Transgaz’s management is not embarrassed by Cholak’s “upset” regarding the purchase of the latest generation iPhone: which companies submitted offers

As Transgaz explained, why buy the latest iPhones and who will use them

The latest generation iPhone and Android phones ordered by Transgaz will be used by the company’s management, which are necessary to ensure communication security in strategic investment projects that also require access to hard-to-reach places, as well as to communicate with Transgaz. subsidiary in the Republic of Moldova, Transgaz management told HotNews.ro at the end of last year.

The company emphasized that, being registered on the stock exchange, it is exempted from Law 296/2023 on fiscal measures and reduction of budget expenditures, according to which state institutions and business entities, the majority shareholder of which is the state, are prohibited from buying mobile phones at a higher price for 500 lei/device, while the monthly subscription cannot exceed 35 lei.

  • SEE TRANSGAS EXPLANATION

According to the company’s report, as of June 30, 2023, the executive management of the company was carried out by 34 directors. On the same date, Transgaz had 3,961 employees.

  • SEE WHO MANAGES TRANSGAS

How many phones did “Transgaz” buy? The company is managed by 34 directors

The tender initiated by Transgaz concerned the signing of a framework agreement for 18 months, a contract with an estimated value of more than 1.46 million lei (excluding VAT), a procurement financed by own funds.

The tender notice states that after the conclusion of the framework agreement, 3 subsequent contracts per year will be concluded.

The maximum number of phones to be delivered during the term of the framework agreement is expected to be 735 units, while the maximum number of phones under contract will be 125 units.

Transgaz has invited 7 types of iOS and Android phones to be released in 2023, and the technical data from the specifications shows that the first three types of phones are the latest generation iPhones. (maximum 80 terminals in 18 months).

Cholaku after Transgaz tender launch: I’m sorry I let them off the hook for cost cutting

Prime Minister Marcel Cholaku was annoyed by the fact that Transgaz announced a tender for the purchase of the latest generation of iPhones.

“I told the director I’m sorry I exempted them (from the new tax and spending cuts law). I rely on the common sense of each department head. I am waiting for an answer,” said Prime Minister Cholak on November 23, 2023.

  • Read more: Cholaku annoyed that Transgaz is buying latest-generation iPhones: I’ve conveyed my regrets for letting them off the hook for cost-cutting. Waiting for reply