A well-known political analyst has commented on the tragedy at a mine in Karaganda. His statement can be summarized as follows:
«In recent years, the number of man-made accidents resulting in human casualties has significantly increased. What is the cause?
Almost all industrial, energy, and communal infrastructure was built during the Soviet period and has to a large extent exhausted its operational life. Wear and tear have been seriously exacerbated by the lack of adequate repair and maintenance work, corruption, and the absence of control from government authorities.
Another significant factor is the growing deficit of qualified engineering personnel, even though the education system does not prepare them at all.
The form of ownership does not have a fundamental impact, whether it’s a private investor or the government; both can be poor managers. It’s worth noting that the public sector is often referred to as «quasi-» in our country. Economic policy is built on «privatization» and «attracting foreign investments.»
The state fundamentally does not see itself as an effective owner or a strong organizer. Meanwhile, private investors primarily focus on the extractive sector, showing little interest in processing. Another issue is the popular Public-Private Partnership model, where the «partner» takes no risks but instead fills all the gaps with public funds.
One might consider discussing the Soviet experience, but its reformers and fighters against «colonialism» despise it and condemn it as «genocide» at every turn. As long as we remain stuck in this paradigm, only the prosecutor’s office and the Ministry of Emergency Situations will be able to work.»
The political analyst emphasizes the systemic issues leading to industrial accidents in Kazakhstan, including infrastructure wear and tear, lack of qualified personnel, and ineffective government and private sector management.
