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15 minutes You have already written about the fact that some mayors are happy with the extra money received, others feel like a fly.
M.Sinkevičius is aware of complaints from individual mayors publicly about insufficient funds.
“I actually read various publications, including 15 minutesthat some are frustrated or dissatisfied with the fact that their initiatives and projects and wishes did not receive funding or did not receive what was expected. (…) I can only say that I have not received a single call from the mayor with indignation or desire to raise the issue in any way on behalf of the association, or that something has not been done in a non-transparent way, with no protection or For political reasons. No mayor approached me, “says M. Sinkevičius.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15min photo / Mindaugas Sinkevičius
On the contrary, M.Sinkevičius believes that most of the mayors are satisfied, because the money has fallen from the sky. Only the majority of mayors rejoice “in silence”.
“Overall, I can say that all mayors, without exception, no matter how successful they have been in meeting the projects and the investment needs they have presented, are satisfied that the state has taken and found opportunities to provide additional funds to various projects at our level. We are talking to the mayors together, and this is probably the only good news in this negative context, “says Social Democrat M.Sinkevičius.
He even adds that some mayors could not have expected such success in the run-up to the elections.
“Many mayors became mayors a year ago and delivered on pre-election promises, not necessarily with the real hope that those promises and expectations will come true. But it happened just as it happened: the state’s wallet was released, debt opportunities and some of those projects that were barely possible to complete in four years could be completed even in less than 2 years. ” 15 minutes the LSA chief spoke.
The money tsunami could generate construction costs.
M.Sinkevičius considers that the additional support is more than a “money shower”.
“You won’t even call it the money rain here, the money storm or the tsunami did not come here as expected. But kindly. The only question is how to do with those investments. It is often said in absorbed society, I say , how to invest what has been designated. It may happen that not all are successful, because not all contractors are ready, “says M.Sinkevičius.
He explains that the opportunities for contractors are limited by the outgoing workforce and the deadlines are very ambitious: the money cannot be carried over to next year.
Photo FNTT / Euros
“It is no secret that many of the objects were occupied by Ukrainians, who were left behind. We see and feel the threat that some objects may become expensive. When you invest a large amount of money in the economy, and when the builders have something to choose from, when there are so many objects you can’t bid on, chances are you’re not bidding, or some at the highest price. There are all sorts of considerations, but the overall assessment is positive, knowing that infrastructure financing it exceeds 300 million euros, ”says M.Sinkevičius.
When asked how the project selection was organized, M.Sinkevičius explained that the ministries paid the most attention to the deadlines, if it is possible to keep the projects implemented this year.
“I am aware of Jonava’s practice: consultations were held with branch ministries. Ministries, such as Education, Science and Sports, asked how Jonava was doing with our project in the VIP program: the stadium. We responded that our contractor You can complete the facilities this year if the funds are intensified. If not intensified, it will be completed as planned in 2021. (…) We submit our applications in various forms in tables to the Ministry of Finance, trying to convince them that our projects they are justified and can be implemented by the end of the year, ”says M.Sinkevičius.
According to him, the municipalities were told “very clearly and unequivocally” that the money would not be transferred the following year; the money would have to be invested in December.
“There were also disappointments, and Jonava may have had some expectations of receiving funds for the planned group and we provided an investment project. Well, from the state point of view, we still don’t have the final stage of the technical project, we still don’t have a building permit, we have not carried out public procurement procedures for the procurement of works. We were informed that this year does not seem like a real and feasible project, “says M.Sinkevičius.
He claims that although he represents the opposition, he cannot make accusations that the money was distributed on a political basis.
Eyes turn to millions on the roads
This is not the last distribution of money to the municipalities. Additional support of the expected 150 million is expected. euros for roads.
“Mayors are, in fact, looking forward to the next package, which will come out this week or next: road financing. It must be recognized that when questions come to the mayor’s reception, it is primarily about roads, gravel roads, patios. The second topic is usually social housing ”, explains M.Sinkevičius.
According to the approved description, the money will be distributed for the repair of state and local roads, paving of gravel roads, pedestrian and bicycle paths, etc.
Erik Ovcharenko / 15min photo / Mindaugas Sinkevičius
“We still don’t have information on which projects the money will be allocated to, but we are all eager to know when the information will be official. There is talk that next week we will really find out who received the funding, as well as whether those 150 million will be distributed immediately. In euros or installments, by the way, the criteria are exactly the same: having a project, the current stage, whether a purchase was made or not, a contract with a contractor or not, and a commitment to complete that path or trail in December. So, as I say, it’s not the money rain, but the money storm or tsunami here, “says M.Sinkevičius.
The LSA chief is proud that the LSA itself has offered the government additional funds for municipal projects as the fastest way to support construction and highway businesses.
“We said that you know that you can go the long way, find what to build or what path to build. But municipalities year after year, often even in the 1950s or decades, have such facilities, which started through the State Investment Program, have a contractor, and work with him in small pieces. We also communicated to the state that if more resources were found to provide funds, it would actually be a quick enough injection of money into the economy in the sense that there is no need to prepare projects or carry out public procurement procedures because they have already been completed. All we have to do is increase funds for what is already being done. And it seems that the state has listened to it, ”says M.Sinkevičius.
The mayor assured that he will not pursue a political career in the next elections and that he will dedicate himself to district and association affairs in the near future.
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