By KYIV. Sept 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – On instructions from the President of Ukraine, an extended meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities was held under the chairmanship of Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, the presidential press service said.
It is noted that such an event was held for the second time in a new format of direct communication with representatives of territorial communities of the regions – this time in Kharkiv region.
Yermak said the new format of the meeting of the Presidium of the Congress, which, in particular, was attended live and online by more than 200 participants, including 115 representatives of Kharkiv region, helps to better understand the problems of each individual region.
He also proposed, during the dialogue with representatives of Kharkiv region, to focus on the issues of mine clearance, restoration and safety of critical and social infrastructure, preparation for the heating season, restoration of the housing stock, and working conditions for local businesses.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, for his part, said Kharkiv region, in particular Kupiansk district, remains a territory where the Russians continue to cause damage to the population and civil infrastructure.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that the priority for the authorities remains a rapid recovery. He said, in particular, UAH 3.6 billion have been allocated for the restoration of settlements and residential and public infrastructure in Kharkiv region. The priority is the overhaul of schools, residential high-rise buildings, and hospitals. Also in focus is preparing the energy system for the heating season, restoring lost capacity and protecting energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Five bridge structures are being restored in Kharkiv region, and design estimates for eight more such facilities are expected.
Business support is provided, in particular by providing preferential loans and micro-grants for the development of their own business. From the reserve fund, Kharkiv Regional Military Administration received UAH 1.3 billion for the construction of fortifications.
Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov said 513,000 internally displaced persons live in the region, to whom UAH 7 billion of social support have been paid. In pursuance of the instructions of the President of Ukraine, 90% of electricity supply and 78% of gas supply have been restored in the deoccupied territories of Kharkiv region. In addition, projects to restore destroyed structures worth UAH 1.1 billion are being implemented.
The President’s Office head called on all those responsible for the areas to personally monitor the issues raised and be ready to inform about the results at the next meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
