Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Water meters to be installed in Ararat Valley fisheries
Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, a consultative meeting was held today at the Office of Government to discuss registration, effective management and maintenance issues concerning Ararat Valley underground water resources (inclusive of self-propelled sources). In attendance were members of government, stakeholder representatives and some 20 fishery managers from Ararat Valley.
Prioritizing the issue, the head of government stated in part: “This meeting bears on the home fish industry and especially on how we supply water to Ararat Valley fisheries. Consultative meetings have been held with the Vice Prime Minister who has formulated the tasks to be addressed in this field. I presided over one such meeting last week involving the stakeholders to look at the situation with the supply of underground water to local fisheries. According to experts, the State has much to do in this area, and we sought to reach out to you the government’s policy in the given field. I wish to note that thanks to the government’s legislative initiatives aimed at favoring and boosting fishing industry in Armenia, we had a serious progress in this field last year.”
Evoking the outcome of interaction with European and Russia partners, the Prime Minister stressed his government’s willingness to support domestic fish exports.
Minister of Nature Protection Aram Haroutunyan reported back the findings of the interagency task force concerning the status of deep-water wells and water use legality in Ararat Valley. The Minister informed that most of local fisheries proved short of elementary sanitary conditions with either lacking or non-operational water meters.
During the exchange of views that followed, the heads of fishing entities presented their concerns and grievances concerning the engineering problems faced and the risks they might run by installing water meters. The Prime Minister suggested implementing a widely covered pilot program attended by all interested sides to address their concerns.
As to the question that some entities may find ways of evading water meters, Tigran Sargsyan noted as follows: “I am hereby declaring that no such incidences will take place since the Minister of Nature Protection has been told to post the list of all fisheries at the official website of the Ministry. We will proceed to total checkups after the deadline set for water meters has expired. Any such measure will be given wide media coverage, and we will be consistent in our efforts.”
The head of government went on to assure that all the offenders will be strictly sanctioned: “You should help us give effect to this nationwide program. We seek to boost fishing industry in Armenia and, therefore, we would suggest you joining us ahead.”
