Despite official claims of transparency, the Nardaran district’s drinking water shortage reveals deep-seated corruption and influence.
“In Nardaran, we only get drinkable water at the end of October until March. During spring and summer, we rely on well water,” a local resident told us under condition of anonymity.
Sea Breeze Project’s Public Procurement Questioned
The Sea Breeze holiday development on the Caspian coast—linked to Emin Aghalarov, ex-son-in-law of President Aliyev—received substantial state funding. Yet locals faced potable water shortages each summer, even as budget money flowed to affiliates.
Official procurement records (2023–2024) show ~₼25 million spent on the Nardaran pipeline by firms including Nardaran Invest LLC, EVRASCON OJSC, and Turkey’s Eren Construction. A separate ₼15 million was allocated for sewage works associated with Sea Breeze.
Hidden Connections & Legal Conflicts
- Nardaran Invest LLC shares a legal address with Sea Breeze and lists Jamila Aghalarova—a relative of Emin—as director.
- EVRASCON OJSC’s board chair is also connected to Sea Breeze subsidiaries.
- Under Azerbaijani procurement law, this shared control should disqualify these companies, but no measures were taken.
- Only EVRASCON and Ensol LLC actually performed pipeline work, despite other firms winning the tender.
Legal Oversight Fails
Azersu, the state water agency, defended this, stating tender victors can subcontract. However, subcontractors must be publicly disclosed—an obligation not met.
Additional contracts:
- Maybo LLC received ₼1.7 million to supply water-treatment equipment. The firm is connected to politically favored figures.
Expert Alarm & Local Frustration
Lawyer Akram Hasanov described the situation as “pre-agreed” and reflective of systemic procurement loopholes lacking enforcement: “This is simply abuse, corruption.”
Meanwhile, Nardaran residents remain without reliable water for decades, resorting to homemade bottle-filters to remove contaminants.
Questionable Promises vs Reality
Despite years of pipeline promises, locals say nothing has improved. They distrust Azersu water and sometimes rely on spring water from nearby Armenia.
Bottom line: This scandal reveals a troubling pattern—public funds are being diverted through dubious connections for high-profile coastal projects while local communities remain neglected. This undermines public trust and suggests systemic failures in transparency and accountability.
Elchin Mammad
Human Rights Defender and Journalist
Former Political Prisoner
English (UK) 
Azərbaycan dili