Street lighting in Chisinau will no longer be turned off at rush hour as it was recommended to save electrical energy, said mayor Ion Ceban. According to him, saving at the expense of citizens’ safety, including in traffic, cannot be made, IPN reports.

“It is dark and we saw this the previous days. It is unsafe for drivers and for pedestrians too. We cannot allow the children to walk through darkness in Chisinau because all kinds of experts through Facebook make calls for solidarity and urge to turn off the lights. Furthermore, if you didn’t know, there are LED devices at all the facilities in the capital city – streets, parks and yards,” Ion Ceban stated in the ordinary meeting of officials of municipal services.

“We do not need to save about 15,000 lei a day in a capital city with about 1 million inhabitants,” said the mayor. According to him, switching off street lighting at rush hour is not opportune given the faced risks, including of accidents. “The people’s safety, the children’s safety is at risk. The crime situation has worsened and this is confirmed by any data you can get form the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

Ion Ceban called yet upon the citizens to economize.

The municipal Commission for Exceptional Stations is to come together to take a decision as to street lighting.

Earlier, it was decided that public lighting in the city will be turned off one ear earlier, at 6am, and will be turned on one hour later, at 8pm.