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Lukashenko: Natural Resources Ministry is a “ministry of ministries”, yet its work falls short

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MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko remains dissatisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. He made the remark while appointing Maksim Lysenko as the new head of the ministry, BelTA has learned.

“I am concerned by the ministry’s work. And you, as someone directly involved in it, bear responsibility for it. I usually do not appoint deputy ministers to become ministers. Because if I or society at large are not satisfied with the work of a particular government agency, it means the blame lies not only with its head but also with the deputies,” the president said. “In this case, however, I am making an exception by appointing you as minister. But I cannot say that I am satisfied with the work of your ministry. Absolutely not. There must be order on the ground. That is a priority. There must be order when it comes to environmental matters. And there must be results in other areas as well,” he added.

“I do not pay much attention to your ministry, I must admit. Only occasionally. But I took the risk of promoting a first deputy to the post of minister because you are, after all, well versed in the subject. When a new leader arrives, he needs time to familiarize themselves with the situation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

The president explained that this decision is also tied to ongoing discussions about the possible transfer of the State Inspectorate for Fauna and Flora Protection to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. “If the inspectorate becomes part of your ministry, you will not need to spend time getting up to speed on the ministry itself. Instead, you will have the opportunity to focus on the inspectorate.”

“You are the minister, and you must see everything. Not just walk around with your head down, but hold the relevant people accountable. This ministry is a ‘ministry of ministries’. For you, apart from the President and the Lord God, no one else should exist. Otherwise, we will turn Belarus into a garbage dump,” the Belarusian leader stressed. 

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