Tuesday, 22 July 2014
PM Pleased with Results of Housing Construction in Disaster Zone
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan paid a working visit to Shirak Marz in order to get acquainted with the progress of the implementation and results of the housing programs supported by the State for families left homeless by the earthquake.
When in Mush-2 residential district in Gyumri, the head of government met with local residents visited the apartment, listened to their grievances in regard to the quality of housing conditions and disabilities. The Prime Minister instructed the executives of Glendale Hills to eliminate all fixed flaws in the short term.
Other important concern of the tenants was the granting to then of certificates of ownership. In this regard, the Prime Minister said that a decision on the matter would be taken at the meeting, to be held in the regional administration. In a briefing to reporters, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the results of housing construction, stressing as follows: “On the initiative of the President of the Republic, investment of 81 billion 500 million drams has been made in the city of Gyumri since 2008. I have been the eyewitness of the army of lodges in Gyumri in 2005-2006. Today this question is resolved, but it is sometimes represented as if nothing has been done. You yourself have seen people’s dissatisfaction with the quality of asphalt, stone or pulled away from the façade, or dripping water. I have instructed that these flaws be quickly eliminated by the builders, and the control will be implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development, Shirak regional administration and the town hall of Gyumri. Anyway I appreciate the construction as well as really done. There remains the issue of certificates of ownership of housing. We now return to the regional administration and shall take a decision on this matter.”
The head of government also referred to the issue of construction of new apartments in Gyumri. “We have to discuss the construction of 430 new flats, because there is a free apartment, maybe we will choose the other option, and if not, build the building. If there is a certificate program for the purchase of housing, we will try to implement it, and if there are vacant apartments, building new ones is pointless. But we will decide the question and people will have apartments.”
Asked about the fact that today marks 100 days of his tenure, Hovik Abrahamyan noted: “Assessment should be given by society and our colleagues. You have to understand that we cannot solve all the problems within a period of 100 days, but the government makes everything in this direction. This requires time and financial resources. Our approach is as follows: specific issue-specific solution, rather than a constant discussion. The Government’s program clearly states our objectives and priorities. Our top priority is our citizen and prosperous life.”
Then, during the meeting held at Shirak Marz administration there was discussed the further implementation of housing programs carried out with public support to address the housing needs of families made homeless by the earthquake, as well as the concerns of the residents of the problem.
On the instructions of the head of government, certificates of ownership will be given by October 1 in Gyumri, and for the construction of new apartments, the Prime Minister directed the Governors of Lori and Shirak Marzes and the Mayor of Gyumri to meet with residents to discuss an acceptable option for them (the certificate to purchase houses or apartment) and for one week to report back the results.
The Prime Minister stressed that he personally would ensure the implementation of all the agreements reached.
Hovik Abrahamyan’s last stop was in Azatan community. The Prime Minister made the rounds of a rural kindergarten getting familiar with the existing facilities and amenities.
The total cost of the program is AMD370mn, of which 240 million allocated under the 3-rd and 4-th programs of the Government of the Republic of Armenia for 2012-2013 to address the problems calling for urgent response, with 130 million drams made available from the resources of the Armenian Social Investment fund.
The State-supported welfare program started in the year 2008. Beneficiaries are 5313 households out of which:
• 61 families got financial assistance through housing certificates;
• 321 families were provided direct financial assistance; each of them got 3 million drams
• 3693 families got apartments (dwelling houses) built in the 2009-2013 biennium.
