Chisinau authorities to pay debt owed to Termocom gradually

The Chisinau administration has pledged to pay the debt owed to Termocom SA until the start of the 2008-2009 heating season. Until present, the local administration has transferred 40 million lei to the heat supplier for settling a part of the debt accrued across December 2007 – April 2008. The remaining debt is 146 million lei, Info-Prim Neo reports. The debt represents the difference between the charges of 456 lei per Gcal and 233 lei per Gcal paid by household users. The amount overdue could rise to 240 million lei if the court obliges the municipal authorities, at the request of Termocom SA, to pay the difference between the tariff of 540 lei per Gcal canceled by the Chisinau Municipal Council and the payments made by the population, the head of the General Finance Division, Maria Caraus, said at the last meeting of the Chisinau City Hall. According to her, the debt will be paid gradually, depending on the amendments made to the budget. At the same time, Maria Caraus said that it is not excluded that a part of the debt could be paid next year. Deputy Mayor of Chisinau Mihai Furtuna said that the money for Termocom SA will be transferred in due time, so that the heating season could start without delay. In this connection, Maria Caraus said that experts of the Energy II Project supported by the World Bank intend to carry out a technical and financial audit at Termocom SA. They will verify the company’s expenditure and the approved tariffs to see if they meet the requirements. Maria Caraus stressed that after the audit, the City Council will review the heating charge if need be. Earlier, CMC approved the charge of 536 lei per Gcal for the next heating season. But Termocom insists that the charge should be 715 lei per Gcal for the 2008-2009 heating season.