The EU4Moldova: Key Regions Program had a strong impact on the development of the municipality of Cahul and neighboring communities, stated, Ion Dolganiuc, mayor of Colibași during an IPN debate on Wednesday. According to the mayor, thanks to the financial support offered through this program, the market in the village of Colibași was modernized, which offered the locals favorable conditions for selling products and jobs at home.
“Citizens were involved in the selection of projects. There were several polls, with several project proposals, and we pursued the one that got the highest score. In our case it was the modernization of the local market in Colibași. Several other projects proposed by citizens are still pending. The modernization of the market is one of the necessities that the residents of Colibași needed. In Colibași, over 70% of the local population is engaged in the production of early vegetables in greenhouses. Also, a good part of the population deals with sheep farming. A few years ago, a family returned home and created a cattle farm. Sometimes the citizens did not see the result of their work, because the commercialization market was very limited, being only Cahul, Vulcănești and Chișinău”, said Ion Dolganiuc.
Following the modernization, the market in Colibași has become a point of attraction for the entire region, the mayor said. The people of Colibași can sell their products close to home, in conditions worthy of a European town, says the mayor.
“After we created the conditions, the Colibași market became attractive for visitors as well. And there are many economic benefits. Everything is produced in Colibași, people have conditions. As a result, some money accumulates, and people work at home, sell their products on the spot, because dairy products can go bad easily and you can’t travel long distances. Already after half a year of activity of the new market, the citizens are satisfied”, pointed out Ion Dolganiuc.
Mayor Ion Dolganiuc says that not only his locality, but also other neighboring localities have enjoyed funding under the EU4Moldova: Key Regions Program. The mayor asks the Government and the representatives of the European Union to ensure the continuity of this program, which has come to an end.
“In the neighboring towns, projects were financed with the support of this program as well. For example, the access road to the famous Beleu Lake in Slobozia Mare and Văleni, which has attracted many tourists in recent years due to its beauty. A simple access road, the rehabilitation of a damaged road, attracts thousands of tourists to the area. The Beleu Fest has reached its third edition and this area is already known not only nationally, but also internationally. Also, a business incubator was initiated at Crihana Veche. An intercommunity solid waste management service was established in Zărnești. Everything is properly equipped. In this intercommunity service, nine localities from the northern part of the district were co-opted. It is a sample program. We also want, and we have already made approaches to the Delegation of the European Union, we have made it clear to the Government of Moldova that this program must be maintained, it must have continuity”, said mayor Ion Dolganiuc.
The debate was the sixth installment of the Benefits of EU Accession Series, run by IPN with the support of the Soros Moldova Foundation.
