Plan of measures to ensure safety of gas cylinders presented in Moldova

Chisinau, 19 November /MOLDPRES/ – The Action Plan to ensure security and minimise the risk of using liquefied petroleum gas has been presented to the Government today. The document was drafted at the request of Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, following the explosion in Chisinau in October 2018, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

The Head of the Cabinet of Ministers specified upon the importance of identifying exact measures to avoid such situations in the future and establishing a viable mechanism for supplying, selling and installing gas cylinders. "We now have to ensure security of people and in the long run create a legal framework that will allow only the use of gas cylinders that have passed the technical verification. On the other hand, we have to make sure that gas used is the one for the household and not the one used for fueling the cars," underlined PM.

The action plan developed in this respect provides for a series of measures, including:

1. The licensing of companies that have the right to bottling and selling liquefied gas for household use;

2. Introduction of sanctions for violation of legislation on the use and marketing of gas cylinders for household use;

3. Adjustment of budgetary and fiscal policy for granting facilities to economic agents. They will contribute to lowering prices for liquefied petroleum gas for household use;

4. Elaboration of the National Programme for renewal of the stock of cylinders and compensation of costs for socially vulnerable users. Currently, 90 per cent of used cylinders are obsolete, with an over – exploited term;

5. Organising info campaigns on safety rules for gas use.

The action plan is to be finalised and, in addition, the authorities will examine the possibility of delivery and installation of cylinders by specialised companies. "Our ultimate goal is for citizens to be able to use a company that will come to their home, install the cylinder, bear responsibility for its technical condition, or refuse installation if all the rules are not met," said Pavel Filip.

Also during the meeting, PM was informed about the progress of the restoration of the housing block in Rascani sector of the capital, which suffered from the explosion. According to the officers, two of the four damaged floors have already been restored, and the interior wall repair work has continued. Also, on the scale where the deflagration occurred, the water supply and sewerage system, electric system and elevator are already in operation. Soon, it will be restored the heating system, so the tenants will be able to return to apartments by the end of 2018.