Nikolai Sherstnev: Local authorities need to work proactively on citizens' problems

Local authorities and management must work not just on the fact of an appeal, but build a system to prevent and preempt people's problems. This was stated by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, during a direct line.

"We must work not on the fact, but prevent, preempt," Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized. "So that nothing similar to what we hear during direct lines happens in the first place. For now, as they say, we are more putting out fires than eliminating the causes. We need to develop a system of prevention." The head of the region noted that all appeals show that housing and communal services (HCS) is one of the most problematic areas. Specialists and employees in this field have a special responsibility, but some forget about it. "We must thank the public for identifying negligent specialists for us. I have said many times: everyone must work in their place. And management must track all critical moments, draw conclusions, and punish accordingly for the offense," Nikolai Sherstnev explained.

For example, during one of the previous direct lines, a resident of Vitebsk appealed about the inaction of utility services when the basement of an apartment building was flooded. Following the review, disciplinary measures were applied to 4 employees of the local housing and utility enterprise, and one official was dismissed. In total, during the direct line with the chairman of the regional executive committee today, 25 calls were received, mainly from Vitebsk, Orsha, and the Orsha district. The majority of appeals concerned housing and communal services and housing privatization. Instructions were given on all facts, and the fulfillment of obligations to people has been taken under control. As noted by the head of the department for work with citizens' and legal entities' appeals of the regional executive committee, Ilona Shulga, there is a trend towards a reduction in calls to the regional executive committee. This year, the region's leadership received 540 calls to the direct line - 20% less than in the same period last year. Meanwhile, local city and district executive committees received 16% more appeals.

Ekaterina Knyazeva - BELTA.