Water-charges related conflict seems to be electoral in character, Dorin Chirtoaca

The conflict between the National Agency for Competition Protection and SA Apa-Canal Chisinau (ACC) seems to be electoral in character, but things will become clearer the next days, Mayor General of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca stated for Info-Prim Neo. The mayor said the situation is connected with the forthcoming local elections. Asked by the Agency's reporter to express his position, ACC director Constantin Becciev stated that if political goals are pursued by this situation, it is the problem of those that created it. “They always remember Apa-Canal and show care about our consumers before the elections,” said Constantin Becciev. He also said that the assertions about the gratis installation of water meters are cheap manipulations aimed at influencing the poorly informed consumers. Such costs have not been planned in the company's budget. The water supplier is ready to cover them if they are included in the water charge, he stated. Last week, the National Agency for Competition Protection said that SA Apa-Canal Chisinau is obliged to install water meters in apartments free of charge. Today, February 7 the Main State Inspectorate for Market Surveillance, Metrology and Consumer Protection expressed the same position, but said a separate charge should be approved for this service.