Government and Chisinau Council must talk over energy sector in Capital

Solving the problems of the Chisinau energy sector will be possible only if the central and local authorities realize the severity of the situation and will cooperate to find a solution. This is the conclusion uttered by the Democratic municipal councilor, Oazu Nantoi, at a news conference on Wednesday, March 12, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to him, the situation is getting worse also because the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) does not have a functional and competent majority. Nantoi says resolving the energy-related issues has been permanently postponed, on the background of a populist tariff policy. Up to present, there has been no concrete decision providing for an optimal charge. The local elected councilor has underlined that, up to now, general mayor Dorin Chirtoaca has presented no coherent governing program for the next four years, which would envisage realistic answers for Chisinau’s energy sector. On the other hand, Oazu Nantoi has drawn the attention that the Communists Party (PCRM) deliberately tergiversates to have the Parliament pass the Law on the status of the Chisinau municipality. Thus, the analyst believes, as a concrete legal frame lacks, the activity of the local administration is blocked. The councilor warns that in the Fall of 2008, the Chisinau residents will confront with severe rises in the heating charge, as a consequence of the CMC losing control over heat-supplier „Termocom”. Oazu Nantoi shows concern with the tariff established by “Termocom” for one Gigacalorie. He thinks any heating charge higher than 450 lei/Gcal, in the conditions of a Winter as the one in 2007-2008, is not justified. “Termocom” S.A. has been and remains a non-transparent and energy-eating monopoly,” the municipal councilor underlines. In order to avoid a financial collapse in the Capital’s energy sector, Oazu Nantoi suggests that the government should intervene to redress the situation. According to him, the Government has made no effort to improve the situation, even though it was obliged to contribute to modernize Chisinau’s energy sector. In Oazu Nantoi’s opinion, a solution could be learning from the examples of European countries which managed to find ways to stop wasting the energy. Large investments and much time are needed to upgrade the heating networks in the municipality. Later in January, the Chisinau Court of Appeal gave the case to “Termocom” in the lawsuit against the CMC. “Termocom” asked the court to annul the CMC’s decision of December 4, 2007, which cancelled the charge of 540 lei per Gigacalorie. The municipality was obliged to pay the heat supplier 100,000 mln lei, the difference between the tariff of 233 lei paid by dwellers and the charge of 540 lei. Now, another lawsuit is being heard. The supplier has asked the court to oblige the CMC to raise the heat tariffs.