Lukashenko: Housing and utility services should be affordable for people

MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) - Housing and utility services should be affordable for people, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the nationwide seminar to discuss the improvement and development of the Belarusian housing and utility sector on 20 October, BelTA informs.

“There is a task for all: starting from 2018 we will increase the tariffs only once by 5$ and then there will be no increases without my knowledge. The services should be affordable for people. In this regard, I instruct the government, the State Control Committee to conduct a detailed inspection. On 1 January 2018 we will approve the tariffs by the president's resolution,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state reminded that since the beginning of the year the utility rates have been increased in Belarus by 5$ in the equivalent and indexed in connection with the growth of people's incomes. “As far as I know, such an increase took place in January 2017. At the same time, the government, the specialized ministry, the Trade Ministry have increased the tariffs by 8% and continue to frighten people that there will be a 10% increase in December. It is worth saying that people will start paying more in November because the heating season begins. This approach is directed against people. It is inadmissible,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. “It will lead to a serious increase in payments and obviously cause a negative reaction from the public. The will be much resonance. Why cannot you index tariffs when heating is off and payments are smaller? However, we have already done it. I do not understand you, governors. Do you want to do a favor to our people or to certain international organizations?”

The president emphasized that it is inadmissible to hype up the public by the talks about the 100% reimbursement of utility costs starting from tomorrow. “This is also a political question. It is inadmissible to be in a hurry here. At first, we will calculate the exact tariffs to prevent, for example, electricity and water suppliers from trying to solve their problems at the cost of the population. And then we will make a decision on the full reimbursement of costs. I am convinced that when we calculate the tariffs in a very thorough manner once again we will see that the percentage of reimbursement is very high. It can even be 90%,” the head of state said.

“We do not have to conform to anybody. Do not forget that the interests of people rather than of any international organizations are the major priority of our social policy,” the president said.

Lukashenko instructs to improve non-cash utility subsidies system in Belarus

“The government should re-examine the cashless utility subsidies system, and, if necessary, take further measures to improve it,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

Lukashenko promises further anti-mediation measures in procurement

Alexander Lukashenko added that procurement of fuel from intermediary structures without relevant competitive procedures leads to the growing cost of thermal energy.

Belarus' utilities ministry instructed to sort things out with home insulation

“For saving reasons you altered the standards and approaches to home insulation. The people view it differently,” the head of state said.

Belarusian energy companies told to keep prices affordable

The State Control Committee has found out that utilities providers have reserves for reducing prices for housing and utility services. Alexander Lukashenko said he believes that energy companies have an even greater impact on prices and may have sufficient reserves of their own.

Science expected to contribute to utility sector development

You cannot do without science in any industry. Housing and utilities is no exception in this regard. Yet, science has not been involved in this process for many years.

Lukashenko demands innovative solutions in waste management

“This problem is the most important for our capital city. In the period since 1981, 25 million tonnes of wastes have been buried in the Severny waste landfill. This amount exceeds the projected capacity 7 times,” the president said.

Call for quality tap water in entire Belarus

According to Alexander Lukashenko, while all Belarusians have access to drinking water, the quality of tap water varies. Excessive iron content has been found in 26% of the samples taken in Gomel Oblast and Mogilev Oblast. Belarus has only 42% of the required amount of deferrization stations.

Lukashenko: Higher salaries in Belarus before 100% utility rates

We will be working towards elimination of cross-subsidization by 2020. But wages of people must be substantially higher before we ensure the full cost recovery for all utilities, Alexander Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko demands proper control in housing and utility sector

“The government, local authorities need to think about what has to be done for the optimal resolution of pending issues. I will not tolerate the lack of control in this vitally important sector. Such segments as heating, water supply, housing overhaul should be under control of the state,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko: Keeping cities tidy is a responsibility of both utilities and citizens

The president drew attention to the status of construction sites and adjacent areas and demanded to clean them up. “This is about Minsk, in the first place,” he said.

Belarus president in favor of strict regulation of expenses in utility sector

“It is needed to preserve the strict rationing of material and energy resources. We cannot act in a different way in current economic conditions,” the head of state said.

Lukashenko to inspect urban improvement progress in 2018

The head of state said that urban improvement and beautification will be in the center of attention in 2018. “It is needed to determine 20-30 such towns, and I am going to visit them. All of us should visit them,” Alexander Lukashenko said.