NGOs to supervise activity of Chisinau City Hall divisions

Nongovernmental organizations will monitor the work of the divisions of the Chisinau City Hall under a cooperation agreements signed by the City Hall and the National NGO Council of Moldova. The agreement is designed to develop an efficient and continuous partnership between the NGO sector and the municipal institutions, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mayor General Dorin Chirtoaca said the idea of this cooperation was put forward by civil society two years ago, but the decision to sign the agreement was taken only now, after a number of consultations, meetings and negotiations. Representatives of civil society will be able to daily take part in the activities of the municipal subdivisions, in the ordinary meetings of City Hall officials and the meetings of deputy mayors, division heads and company managers. Once in three months, the municipal subdivisions will present progress reports in public meetings involving deputy mayors, councilors from different commissions, representatives of civil society and the mass media. “This will enable us to better report on our work and the public control on our activities will be more visible,” said Dorin Chirtoaca. Acting head of the National NGO Council Daniela Terzi-Barbarosie said that this agreement is aimed at making the work of the City Hall servants more efficient and at informing the people about the daily work of the subdivisions. “We do not intend to hinder you in your work. We want the civil society to have space for an efficient dialogue and a platform for new ideas and projects that we can implement in the municipality,” she stated. Antonita Fonari, secretary general of the NGO Council, said that by this agreement they want to strengthen cooperation with the local public administration. “We know that the City Hall does important things, but we thought that this institution should be more open to the community. Its meeting should be open, especially for the NGOs. The social services provided by nongovernmental organizations could be covered by the City Hall and its subdivisions when no money comes from foreign backers,” she said. Attending the signing of the agreement, the local councilors welcomed the beginning of this cooperation, saying it will contribute to more efficient work at the City Hall. Under the agreement, the City Hall will publish the relevant information on its website, including draft decisions and policies, at least 15 workdays before the examination of the decision and will send it to the parties for consideration. The NGOs that will attend the open meetings of the City Hall will make suggestions and recommendations, while the City Hall will designate a public servant to facilitate the cooperation between the parties.