Friday, 24 June 2016
PM Pays Working Visit to Ararat Marz
On a working visit to Ararat Marz, the Prime Minister was in a number of communities in Artashat region,
Hovik Abrahamyan first followed the apricot harvesting process in Nerkin Dvin and Aygezard communities, after which the Premier met with the inhabitants of Nerkin Dvin, Hnaberd, Aygezard and Verin Artashat communities to take note of their concerns. The farmers were happy to note that many issues had been resolved in their communities, including the problems of irrigation water and welfare infrastructure.
Then the farmers dwelt on a number of priority issues, mainly related to the increase of anti-hail stations, improvement of municipal infrastructure, as well as the payment of amounts due for grapes purveyed last year. Concerning some problems, specifically as regards the installation of additional anti-hail stations, the Prime Minister gave instructions to the officials responsible, adding that the Government will discuss and try to address the other issues raised, if possible.
Hovik Abrahamyan advised that the community infrastructure improvement programs have already been included in the Government’s next year’s activities. Summing up the results of his working visit at a briefing with news reporters, the Premier said there is no problem related to the sales of freshly harvested apricots: people come over and buy apricots on the field, sparing farmers additional costs.
Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the fact that the communities no longer face shortage of irrigation water, and now they have to get ready for the grapes harvest so that the processing factories could get it in time.
Evoking last year’s problems related to the settlement of arrears, the head of government noted that the farmers’ dissatisfaction was well-grounded, but the processing entities in turn were facing objective bottlenecks associated with product sales.
The Premier stressed that the problem is kept in spotlight, and the Government will discuss it once again in an effort to support the processing enterprises, if necessary, adding that there is a timetable already established, and the processing factories have promised to pay all debts before August.
Coming to yesterday’s heavy rain-caused closure of the Stepantsminda-Lars highway, the Premier said the Government actively working with the Georgian authorities in order to reopen the motor-road as quickly as possible.
Hovik Abrahamyan’s working visit ended with a consultative meeting held with the heads of local communities to discuss development of community projects and future action.
The Prime Minister stressed that both the central government and the local authorities need to join efforts in a bid to address the existing problems and gave instructions to the heads of relevant agencies.
