Government showed gross incompetence in gas crisis, economic expert

The Government has showed gross incompetence in the gas crisis, expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative (IDIS) “Viitorul” Igor Munteanu has told Info-Prim Neo, when asked to comment on the steps taken by the executive to manage the crisis. The expert considers that in this situation, the Government played a passive and contemplative role and, from strategic viewpoint, did not solve the problem and did not have an alternative solution in reserve. According to Igor Munteanu, the Government only urged saving the energy resources and participated in the meetings of the Commission for Emergencies, held under the aegis of President Vladimir Voronin. It only said that the stores are sufficient for 24 hours, and then for 12 hours, and that all the people expect that Ukraine and Russia will settle the dispute. “The Government says that it can do nothing and that the problem must be solved by Kiev and Moscow. In general, it is true, but the sovereign and independent states must take steps to be ready to cope with such crises. Moldova cannot now use alternative solutions: undergrounds gas supplies, a mechanism enabling the thermoelectric plants to switch over to coal,” Munteanu said. According to him, this situation is due to the lack of anticipation and to the executive authorities’ non-professionalism. “The Department for Emergencies also showed a poor example during the summer floods. The civil population was helped more by the army rather than the department. We can draw the conclusion that we have a lot of institutions that look well on paper, but are totally helpless in crisis situations. The Security Council and all the strategies for insuring the national security in crisis situations are also powerless, the expert said. The objectives set by the head of state are good for the future, but cannot help now, Igor Munteanu said. “Everyone can ponder over what should be done in the future, but the Government showed gross incompetence in the crisis situation. The people realized this and hurried to purchase electric heating devices. This means that one of the basic elements of the human rights and freedoms – protection today and tomorrow – has not been guaranteed by the executive. This fact should not be hidden behind phases that accuse someone else. It is the Government’s blame,” Igor Munteanu said. The gas supply to Moldova was disrupted on January 6 following a dispute between Russia and Ukraine on the transit of Russian gas to the EU. Sixteen villages in Stefan Voda, Causeni, Anenii Noi and Dubasari districts lacked natural gas on December 12. At the January 11 meeting of the National Commission for Emergencies, Vladimir Voronin said that though Moldova does not have its own natural gas reserves, the authorities made everything possible to manage the crisis situation. He demanded that the persons in charge continue stepping up efforts to overcome the difficulties and insure the proper functioning of the heating system. He stressed the importance of taking measures to avoid accidents when the gas supply to Moldova is resumed. Vladimir Voronin also underlined the necessity of replenishing the state reserves of crude oil and coal and of examine the possibility of creating natural gas stores that could be used in emergencies.