PM demands to punish the guilty of lack of hot water in Chisinau

PM Vasile Tarlev demands that the guilty of the lack of hot water in Chisinau be hold answerable. In his words, a series of petitions from the citizens were sent to the Government. The residents are “worried and filled with indignation” about the lack of hot water during the summer season. “We are not interfering in the political process of partitioning the mandates within the City Hall, but when it comes to the care for the citizens we should be uncompromising, and the persons who are guilty of this problem must be held answerable”, the prime minister said. He asked the ministries, agencies, and the relevant central public authorities to establish a working group and to conduct investigations to find out the persons who are responsible of disconnecting the consumers from hot water supply and of the well-functioning of “Termocom”. “It is not the duty of the Government to provide a residential area with hot water and heat. This is the obligation of the local public authorities. However, the Government should not be indifferent when the local authorities are unwilling or cannot solve a problem. We should help them if we are asked to, if not – to get involved and give our support to overcome the situation” – the prime minister said. Tarlev said he is worried that such a situation could occur again in winter, especially because the experts predict a frosty cold season. Hot water supply was disrupted on July 23 in all the apartment blocks in Chisinau and was supposed to be resumed on August 13. However, the leadership of “Termocom” JSC said it has neither technical capacity, nor funds to resume the supply. The heat supplier blamed the Chisinau City Hall for the situation, because it had to pay a debt of MDL 151 mln to the company. The repairs continue, although they are delayed by the shortage of money. Chisinau Mayor General Dorin Chirtoaca promises that the first instalment of MDL 50 mln will be transferred to the accounts of “Termocom” in a couple of days. On Wednesday evening, Chirtoaca has announced he will hold a press conference on the issue on Thursday morning, August 16.