site.btaRegional Development Ministry in Relatively Good Condition - Minister

Regional Development Ministry in Relatively Good Condition - Minister

Sofia, February 20 (BTA) - Regional Development Minister Spas Popnikolov told a news conference that a three-week review at his Ministry showed it was in a relatively good condition. He recalled that a report on the review of public procurement contracts signed in 2016 had been submitted to the Council of Ministers. The auditors expressed doubts about certain irregularities.

Popnikolov assessed favourably Operational Programme Regions in Growth, comparing it to other programmes, adding that the process of payments should be expedited. Over 50 per cent of its funding has been contracted.

The reform of the water sector is one of the Minister's priorities. He said he would personally check out the progress of water reservoir projects financed by the World Bank.

The National Programme for Energy Efficiency for Multi-family Residential Buildings is another priority, said Popnikolov. Deputy Minister Violeta Komitova said the programme helped reduce energy consumption and was an integral part of the economy as many companies were involved. The programme is financed with 2 billion leva and is oriented to about 340,000 people and 150,000 homes.

Komitova identified problems including the overly high reference cost of retrofitting per square metre, which has partly been remedied, lowering it from 290 leva to 140 leva/square metre.

She also noted that interest in the programme by far exceeded its financial capacity. Although the Ministry warned the Bulgarian Development Bank to stop signing contracts on target financing, mayors are unaware of this. However, this problem can be solved by an elected government. Popnikolov said data about 257 buildings were being analysed to see which activities are acceptable.

Interdepartmental working groups have until March 6 to give an opinion on urgent safety-enhancing measures in the 16 tunnels with above-average level of risk.

As to public procurement contract irregularities, the Ministry finds that they are insignificant and need not be referred to the prosecution service, the National Audit Office and the Public Financial Inspection Agency.

Following alerts to difficulties at the Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, Mimi Chaleva, who was chief secretary, was appointed Executive Director on Monday. She was given one week to suggest ways to improve performance.