BOBRUISK, 17 June (BelTA) – More housing will be built in Bobruisk and less in Minsk for the sake of more evenly distributing human resources. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement while talking to workers of the Bobruisk-based tire manufacturer OAO Belshina on 17 June, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed: “Bobruisk is a major promising city. We are going to develop Bobruisk. We are going to build less housing in Minsk but instead we will encourage our people towards major cities like Bobruisk and towards smaller ones. It is necessary to set up manufacturing enterprises and keep people over there. We don't want people from all over the country to flood Minsk.”
In his words, construction companies and municipal authorities should be encouraged to build more and do it on the terms the country is accustomed to – with certain preferences. “It does not mean that everyone will get an apartment tomorrow,” the president warned. “But we are going to navigate towards cities like Bobruisk more.”
Meanwhile, residents of the city themselves should endeavor to develop and beautify their place of residence, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced. “Bobruisk residents should be more proactive. If you work at it, we will help. If you just ramble about Bobruisk while afraid to plant a fir tree or a pine tree, nobody will help you,” he said. “Executives know what to do. Help, act.”
Continuing the line of thought, Aleksandr Lukashenko added: “It is necessary to anchor our people, young people so that they wouldn't go anywhere but would work in Bobruisk. It is necessary to enable conditions for that but young people should contribute, too. Nobody will bring you happiness without you doing anything. We have to understand that we have to create it on our own, with our own hands. I will not be found wanting – I will do everything to help somehow.”
BelTA reported earlier that right upon arrival in Bobruisk the head of state noted a number of facilities in the city, including social infrastructure and halls of residence that need to be put into shape. Aleksandr Lukashenko also drew attention to the facts of mismanagement the State Control Committee had found in the city before his arrival. Aleksandr Lukashenko urged the authorities not to show off by sprucing up only the places the head of state visits. The Belarusian leader told the Brest Oblast governor to clean things up by 1 January.
At the same time it is necessary to develop the manufacturing base and build housing. Not only Bobruisk has to carry out this task. The global purpose is to enable conditions for work and life all over Belarus instead of concentrating the country's population in Minsk. Moreover, import substitution has never been more important, which means it is necessary to create new and develop existing manufacturing facilities.
The president suggested expanding a number of privileges to the regional level among other things. “Transfer all the privileges from Minsk to him. On the terms Minsk enjoys,” he said.
“It may not be a good idea to bring people from all over Belarus to Minsk. Minsk will suffocate soon. It is necessary to distribute people all over the country. But not forcefully. Give them jobs and housing and they will go there,” the head of state said.
