President Ilham Aliyev inspects construction of new building of State Museum of Azerbaijan Carpet and Applied Arts - PHOTOS

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting on the socio-economic development of suburban towns at the Baku City Executive Power. President Aliyev gave instructions related to socio-economic development of Baku’s suburban towns.

President Aliyev visited the Sabunchu and Surakhani settlements to familiarize with the execution of these tasks, the Azerbaijani President’s official website reported.

At the recent meeting, Aliyev said certain programs have been realized in Baku over the past few years. He stressed that Azerbaijan’s transformation into a metropolis is one of the priority issues. Aliyev said the range of comprehensive measures taken for improvement and reconstruction of road and transport infrastructure, power grids, gas facilities, heating systems, sewage plants and other infrastructure, as well as utility projects, of Baku will be widened in the future. The work is underway on a special state program to achieve these goals, he added.

Reconstruction activities were launched in Baku’s villages and suburban towns in accordance with the president’s instruction.

To inspect what has been done thus far to implement the instructions, President first arrived in the "Teplitsa" residential area in the settlement of Zabrat. Baku mayor Hajibala Abutalybov briefed President Aliyev on the work done here. Reconstruction of roads linking settlements has begun in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev`s instructions. He pointed out effluent disposal lines would be built in the villages and settlements. President Ilham Aliyev met with local community.

President Aliyev said the social and economic problems of Baku’s suburban villages are being addressed. He expressed hope that the appropriate program will be adopted in April.

"An enlarged meeting has been held recently and tasks were set. The main objective was to ensure that all socio-economic problems of Baku’s suburban villages were resolved. Of course, the state budget will provide additional funds following the adoption of the program. The state budget should be amended to this end, as our budget was passed in 2010 and this program was not stipulated then. The project will be sanctioned following the amendments made within the capabilities of the state budget," he said.

The president stressed that a certain work has been done over the past time. "The intense work was carried out on construction of schools and health centers in the settlements. The work carried out on the gas and power supply. That is, certain work has been done. But I would really like to see this work carried out in more intensive and better way, and the people living in villages have maximum been provided with conditions. A program that will cover all villages is under development. It's a huge program. Today, over 800,000 people live in the settlements and this is a big city itself," Aliyev said.

Aliyev said the program will not be limited to the road construction. "Extensive measures will be taken. Problems with gas, electricity and water supply have been addressed and this is a great achievement. There are problems with sewage, but they also will be solved. A socio-economic development program is being realized in the country. A new phase of the program on social and economic development of the suburban villages of Baku should be launched simultaneously. I believe the first phase should cover 2011-2013. However, those who develop the program, say that time does not allow us to resolve the issues, which we have planned, for two years. Therefore, may be it would be necessary to develop an additional program that will cover 2013-2018. Thanks to the realization of this program, the most modern infrastructure will be created in all villages and the highest standards applied, as well as all issues necessary for the development of settlements will be resolved," he said.

He said the Economic Development Ministry was instructed to create additional conditions for business people living in the villages: to provide loans on concessional terms, open jobs and new businesses, so that additional conditions were created for the elimination of unemployment.

Speaking to the villagers, President Aliyev said he instructed the Cabinet to consider issue of writing off old debts for gas and water. "We are doing this, so that less stress fell on the population," he said.

He said the work in the settlements should not be limited by these infrastructure issues. "Funds will also be allocated to improve settlements and repair fences and streets. One can observe air power lines here. We, as they say, get accustomed to such a picture. But we actually do not see this in the developed cities. These issues have been resolved in the center of Baku. Therefore, modern transmission lines should be gradually laid in the settlements," Aliyev added.

President Aliyev also inspected what has been done in the Bulbule village in Surakhani district. A school will be constructed here according to Azeri Leader`s instructions.

The president met with the residents. "I came to hear from you, what else is needed to do," Aliyev said. Resident Mirzaaga Guliyev has asked President Aliyev to assist in construction of intra-settlement road length of 150-200 meters. Aliyev said he would personally inspect this area and give instruction. He said entrances and exits in the settlements should also be comfortable for people to use these roads.

President Aliyev photographed with the residents and arrived in the area to review the state of the old road that goes from the Bulbule village on the main road.

President Ilham Aliyev gave recommendations concerning rebuilding of old roads. The reconstruction of the streets linking the Heydar Aliyev Avenue and Ateshgah Temple was launched upon the president’s order.

Then, the head of state inspected the progress of restoration of the Ateshgah temple. President Aliyev was informed about archeological excavations here.

The President gave respective instructions concerning reconstruction work in the suburban settlements of Baku.


/Trend/

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