Among the main problems that affect the local public administration are the lack of clarity and views about the concrete decentralization measures and directions and strengthening of local self-government, the defective communication between the central and local authorities, primarily as regards the institutionalized and permanent dialogue at all levels. It is hard to explain the communication isolation seen at most of the state institutions, Tatiana Badan, president of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM), stated in the General Assembly of Local Public Authorities held on the occasion of the Day of Local Autonomy and Local Public Administration Worker that is celebrated today, IPN reports.
“The uncertainty about the financial decentralization measures, staff policy – attraction and keeping of specialists in the local public administration by motivation - excessive administrative control on the part of local offices of the State Chancellery make the local public authorities to travel,” said Tatiana Badan. The excessive pressure and attitude of the inspection bodies represent direct interference in the work of the local public administration.
She noted that the higher costs for maintaining public institutions, primarily kindergartens, following the rise in gas and heating prices should be partially subsidized. Communication, institutionalized and permanent dialogue between CALM, the local public authorities and the central government should be improved as misunderstandings appear due to the shortcomings in communication.
Speaking in the event, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița said the Government took measures to support local development. There was created the Regional and Local Development Fund that in 2022 is of 770 million lei. In January, the Cabinet approved the Common Program Document for 2022-2024 that includes 46 regional development projects financed with resources from the National Regional Development Fund, with an estimated cost of 1.5 billion lei.
Starting with this year, the amounts collected as road tolls, of over 800 million lei, will remain in the local budgets. The young and female entrepreneurs in 2022 benefit from agricultural subsidies totaling 75 million lei for starting agricultural businesses in rural areas. Furthermore, seven mayors offices will benefit from €2 915 533 worth of grants through the Mayors for Economic Growth Facility. Out of the €100 million that is to be provided by Romania in non-reimbursable assistance, considerable funds will be allocated for local development.
“The efforts made now by the Government to improve the efficiency of the local public authorities can be classified into three directions: improvement of local self-government and augmentation of the funds managed by LPAs, digitization of state services, and transparency. The public administration reform is not done during one day and it will not immediately solve all the problems of mayor’s offices. The local public authorities will have to permanently adjust to the new needs of the communities, time and citizens,” stated Premier Gavrilița.
The General Assembly of Local Public Authorities was staged by the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova in partnership with the senior administration.
