Moldovan PM focuses on accident at block of flats, cancellation of duty-free business, general local elections at cabinet meeting

Chisinau, 20 June /MOLDPRES/ - All schools, kindergartens, as well as the blocks of flats from the settlements hit by the heavy rains will be checked by specialists of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Prime Minister Maia Sandu gave instructions to this effect in the beginning of a today’s cabinet meeting, after a block of flats had collapsed in the Otaci town, northern Ocnita district, on 19 June evening, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.    

„Thirty six families experienced moments of fright; people lost the wealth for which they had worked during a lifetime. It is good that all people are alive and healthy. The people were evacuated from this building and were provided with temporary accommodation. It is very important that nobody from that block of flats enters the damaged building, in an attempt to save their things. Rescuers will deal with this, if it is safe,” the prime minister said.   

At the same time, the PM asked the competent institutions to carry out, as soon as possible, an assessment of the material damages and find the fittest way of citizens’ compensation for the damages inflicted, given that the block of flats will not be able to be restored.  

The prime minister also said that she had asked the MPs to urgently work out a draft law, under which the duty-free fuel-supply stations, duty-free shops, bars and restaurants at the entrance into Moldova and at the entrance to the Transnistrian region be cancelled. “We know which is the negative impact on the budget and for whom these shops were set up. We hope that this law will be considered as quickly as possible,” Maia Sandu said.    

Also, the prime minister informed that a draft law was worked out, the goal of which is to exclude, in the long run, the postponing of the holding of local elections. “We want a date set under the law and the local polls should be carried out no matter the trifles of politicians,” the PM added.

The draft is to be placed for public consultations. It is worth mentioning that the general local elections will take place on 20 October 2019.