News & Events in Belarus

Lukashenko orders to revisit Polesie development program

PINSK DISTRICT, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to return to the Polesie development program as he arrived in Pinsk District, Brest Oblast with a working visit on 4 October, BelTA has learned.

"Some time ago we tried to deal with issues facing Polesie and adopted a program for its revival. As it often happens, officials were off to a good start but soon their enthusiasm fizzled out. Something was done, something was not. We should return to this issue and not waste funds. I have ordered the government to focus on some major projects and to allocate funds there," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that the country should be put in full order within five years and left in proper shape for the next generation, for the children. "For this purpose we should put things in order where necessary," the president said.

He recalled other similar regional programs. For example, long-lasting rehabilitation of the Chernobyl-affected districts on the south-east of Mogilev Oblast. "Today we see that we did the right thing," the Belarusian leader stated.

According to him, during the winter it is necessary to think over a plan of action in Vitebsk Oblast.

The head of state expressed confidence that Mogilev Oblast has everything in place for effective development, apart from discipline. "Mogilev Oblast needs a more strict approach. It has excellent land, it has everything. It just got out of hand," he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that when he spoke about Polesie he meant the areas from Pinsk to Mozyr. Mozyr District has a powerful production base and resources for its own development. Other districts of Polesie should be paid additional attention to.

The president described the Parokhonskoye agricultural enterprise as exemplary. The enterprise boasts good management and social programs. "It is a clean and pleasant place," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed Mikhail Rusy, president's authorized representative in Brest Oblast, to monitor this issue. The head of Parokhonskoye enterprise can help him with organization and give advice. Certainly, the government and administration of the region will not stand aside.

"If you do it in five years, you will be heroes. We should do it the same way as Parokhonskoye does," he said.

"If we put Polesie in order, we will feed the whole country only with the help of Polesie," the Belarusian leader emphasized. "Polesie cannot be overlooked."

The head of state pointed out that due to the warmer climate it is necessary to master cultivation of new, more heat-loving crops. He also emphasized that irrigation technologies should be introduced.

When talking to the residents of Parokhonsk agro-town, Aleksandr Lukashenko also touched upon the issue of Polesie development. "Polesie must be put in order. There is a lot of mismanagement and irresponsibility here," he said. "We once created such a program [for Polesie's revival]. Mikhail Ivanovich [Rusy] says that we have done quite a lot. Certainly, I am extremely dissatisfied with the work done. We just need to revise it. We need to make a decision, allocate funds. We need to define what you will invest, and what the government will help with. But Polesie must be revived, put in order. You should not waste funds. We need to concentrate resources on the main directions."

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