Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today chaired another hearing on public agencies’ performance reports, which was held in the Office of Government. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan reported on the activities implemented in 2019.

Minister Suren Papikyan said 43 projects had been implemented in the period under review as part of the Government’s 2019-2023 Action Plan: 14 projects will be completed by the end of this year, while 22 other projects will be continued until 2023.

Community management information systems were introduced in 15 enlarged communities. Citizen Service Offices (CSOs) were set up in 9 communities. CSOs are being established in 9 enlarged communities, with 49 CSOs expected by the end of this year. These offices provide citizens with over 60 public services.

462 subsidy programs worth AMD 17.465 billion were approved last year, including 9.597 billion dram-worth government-co-funded projects. The aforementioned subvention programs seek to improve and develop community infrastructures. 701 subsidy programs to a total cost of 6.795 billion drams were approved this year, including 3.561 billion dram-worth projects co-financed by the government.

To provide for balanced territorial development, 210 priority programs are being implemented in the provinces, of which 191 have already been completed.

Under the seismic safety improvement program, construction work equivalent to AMD 4.11 billion was carried out in 8 schools. Construction efforts are currently underway in 7 schools. Tenders are going to be announced for 15 schools. The Vedi and Kaps reservoir and irrigation system rehabilitation projects continued in the period under review.

Touching on the ongoing road infrastructure improvement efforts, the Minister said 150.4 km-long road sections were overhauled mediating state budget funds and 131.5 km-long interstate highways were repaired in 2019. Overhaul of roads to a total length of 2444 km is planned ahead in addition to about 80 km average repair works.

Co-financed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, activities continued under the North-South Road Corridor Investment Program, including the M6 Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Georgia Interstate Highway Rehabilitation Program and the Additional Financing for Lifeline Road Network Improvement Program. The design of a new bridge at the Bagratashen border checkpoint was completed.

According to the Minister, 2019 was an active year for the transport sector. Infrastructure development activities were carried out; the volume of cargo-direct transportation increased. Tangible progress was recorded in the field of railway transport. The South Caucasus Railway modernized its rolling stock with the addition of 1 new electric train and 40 new semi-wagons, and improved the pricing policy for domestic transportations.

The legal framework has been improved in the sphere of subsoil use; a geological information management system has been introduced; a register of real owners was developed and other key activities were completed in the period under review. Based on the findings of a survey of contractual obligations, 569 warnings were issued to subsoil users. AMD 695 million was repaid in overdue fees. 11 operators saw their rights suspended or terminated, 4 of which dealt with ore deposits. 17 mining and 16 exploration permits were issued, and 32 applications rejected in the period under review.

Coming to energy infrastructure, the Minister reported that several substations were reconstructed last year. The Lichk substation (Gegharkunik Marz) will be rehabilitated at its own cost in 2020. Capacity development works were carried out in the field of solar and nuclear energy; Armenia-Iran 400 kV and Armenia-Georgia power transmission projects continued in the period under review.

Taking note of the report, Prime Minister Pashinyan asked about the ongoing per-sector development strategies covering the mining, energy, water supply, garbage collection, and state property management sectors. Suren Papikyan advised that some strategies have already been developed, with the relevant documents submitted for discussion; others will be submitted in due course.

The Premier was also briefed on the ongoing community enlargement process, the development of an efficacious transport network for regular passenger transportation. Reference was made to subsidy programs, local taxes, the duty payment system, the preparations for Armenia’s annual national report on activities in the mining sector, as well as on the implementation / delays of other measures envisaged in the reporting year.

Summing up the hearing, the Prime Minister underscored that the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure is quite comprehensive and encompasses several priority areas. Nikol Pashinyan said the results stated by individual department are obvious in a number of areas. At the same time, he stressed the need to ensure compliance with the timetable specified in the government’s action plan. Highlighting the need to plan the work as accurately as possible, the Premier told the staff to be more consistent in this matter.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Pashinyan instructed those responsible to complete the development and discussion of per-sector strategies in a short period of time and submit them for approval.