News & Events in Belarus
Lukashenko outlines tasks for new Belarusian ministers of utilities, transport
MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has outlined tasks for Gennady Trubilo and Aleksei Lyakhnovich, who have been appointed new heads of the Housing and Utilities Ministry and the Transport and Communications Ministry, BelTA has learned.
Both ministers have been working as first deputy ministers in the respective ministries up till now. The president drew attention to this fact: “Apart from the tasks I’d like you to accomplish, I think it is more important that you know better than I do what needs to be done in the areas of work you’ve been entrusted with. Frankly speaking, I don’t remember that we have ever appointed deputy ministers as ministers. We’ve always looked for and selected new people. We wanted new professionals, who know these things, to come and take a fresh look at this or that agency. But in this case I believe that both appointees are well-trained people. I cannot say that the ministries and the former ministers had not been working well. This is why we opted for deputy ministers.”
At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined tasks for each minister.
The Housing and Utilities Ministry has to be visible
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I expect the ministry to be, first of all, visible. You understand what I am talking about. And secondly, I want this ministry to finally prove that it needs to exist. That the country needs the Housing and Utilities Ministry. It is no secret for you that I am constantly getting proposals on liquidating this ministry or incorporating it into some other ministry because allegedly the functions overlap. Many functions are realized by municipal government agencies. Some belong to the Architecture and Construction Ministry. Allied ones and so on.”
The president disagreed with this approach: “Even if you deal with construction or capital repairs at times while the Architecture and Construction Ministry exists in parallel, everyone will have plenty of work to do. Naturally, you shouldn’t do what municipal authorities and the Architecture and Construction Ministry will be doing. I don’t think the Housing and Utilities Ministry had intruded a lot into their authority and functions.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko explained why he keeps the Housing and Utilities Ministry in place. Because complaints about housing and utilities top the list of complaints submitted to the head of state and the Belarus President Administration.
“You have to introduce novelties into this system, strictly control the execution of this entire functionality, which is entrusted to municipal authorities and other organizations. And I would like to see fewer complaints. I understand that it has always been like that. People have always lacked something: either a fence has not been repaired or a roof or a balcony,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president pointed out that it is necessary to clearly delineate functions and determine where the housing and utilities area starts. “Naturally, we have to repair balconies. An individual person cannot do it. But [the person] should be the one to repair a fence or the roof of a single-family house. Yes, we will fix the roof of an apartment building. In other words, it is necessary to clearly delineate functions. And where the Housing and Utilities Ministry has to get involved. Well, and the overall administration,” he explained.
Aleksei Lyakhnovich and Gennady Trubilo
“I don’t think that I have to tell you in detail what you should do, Gennady Alekseyevich [Trubilo]. You are an experienced man. You have worked in this sphere for a very long time and I strongly hope that this ministry will be visible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
Plenty of issues for the Transport and Communications Ministry to deal with and not only inside Belarus
“As for the Transport and Communications Ministry, well, you know that we also have plenty of issues inside the country. And in mutual relations with our key partners. Both Russia and China. Particularly Russia. Transit and so on. A lot of issues exist,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the relevant matters had also been discussed at a recent meeting with President of Russia Vladimir Putin. “After the latest meeting with the Russian president I explained our approaches and agreements to [Prime Minister of Belarus Roman] Golovchenko. No rejection anywhere. Your job is to work,” he stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko quoted the Russian president as saying that the Russian counterpart of the new Belarusian minister is a very capable and talented person, who knows how to do his job. “It is truly so. We have to come to terms. Because logistics has become more complicated and, let’s say, tariffs on our goods are a serious matter. We would like these tariffs [on freight transportation and transshipment] to be lower. So that enterprises would not operate in the red due to logistics. Well, there is also the rolling stock and other matters. There are very many issues with the transportation of people. You will have to take care of all of it,” the head of state said.
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