Chairperson of the Beshenkovichi District Executive Committee Galina Unukovich: "It is impossible not to fall in love with the district where you work"
Reference: Galina Unukovich was born in 1976 in the village of Shibeki, Orsha district. She is a graduate of Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov (Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education; History), and the Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus (State and Local Administration). She began her career in Chashniki district, where she held various positions in the education system. Since 2010, she served as Deputy Chairman of the Glubokoe District Executive Committee, and since 2014, she was the Chairperson of the Glubokoe District Council of Deputies. During this time, she did a lot for the development of the Glubokoe region. Education, healthcare, social work, and the improvement of the district center and rural settlements received a significant boost in development.
– Galina Vladimirovna, what were your first impressions of the district?
– It so happened that I managed to work in different parts of the Vitebsk region. Each of them is unique, has its own traditions and mentality, even though it might seem we live in the same region.
Of course, the place where you were born is dear to you. But it is impossible not to fall in love with the district where you work. For example, over 10 years, special relationships developed with the Glubokoe district. I have been working in Beshenkovichi district for seven months now, and it is gradually becoming my home as well. I must note that people live here who sincerely love their region and are ready to work for its benefit.
– How do you assess the production potential of the district?
– There are enterprises that have taken quite strong positions. For example, SOOO "Nativita" has grown from a small pharmaceutical production into a large company with an international scientific and production complex. NPP "Belkotlomash" has over 30 years of development history in the energy sector. It produces modern, efficient boiler equipment that meets European standards. This product is in demand both in the Belarusian and foreign markets. The production site of SOOO "Belvest", which plans to expand production, is also located in the district. ZAO "Vitebskagropodukt" has successfully implemented the business plan of its investment project in the village of Sokorovo – "Reconstruction of livestock premises for a pig complex for 5000 heads". Small enterprises engaged in woodworking operate in the district.
The contribution of small and medium-sized businesses is significant, as they provide one-third of the investments in fixed assets, almost 100% of exports of goods and services, and more than 50% of tax revenues to the budget.
– Speaking of investments in more detail: where is the money attracted to?
– This includes the modernization of the sawmill production of GLHU "Beshenkovichi Leskhoz", the laying of fiber-optic communication lines, iron removal stations, housing construction, and the technical re-equipment of enterprises.
In January-August, 15.4 million rubles were used, which amounted to 109.4% compared to the 2019 level.
– Today, in the district, as well as in the country as a whole, the focus remains on the development of agriculture. How did the agricultural producers perform this year?
– In the current year, the gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops amounted to 41.8 thousand tons (133% compared to 2019) with a yield of 32.5 centners per hectare. 4.6 thousand tons of hay (102.3%), 52.1 thousand tons of silage (98.9%), and 22 thousand tons of corn silage (114.9%) were harvested. For the public herd, 23.3 thousand tons of roughage (103.5% compared to the 2019 level) were harvested in terms of feed units. The district's farmers coped with the assigned task better this year than in the previous one. But there is still room for improvement. Fodder needs to be harvested for eighteen months to achieve decent results in weight gain and milk yield.
The district's agro-industrial complex is represented by six agricultural enterprises. UP "Vyaderovo" operates stably. It is headed by Vasily Berezko – a competent leader, a master of his land. SUP "Svitino-VMK" and GP "PolitotdelAgro" show decent results. ZAO "ASB-AgroNovator" has potential.
– The last three years have been dedicated to my small homeland, and in this regard, special attention is paid to landscaping and tidying up the land. What steps are being taken in this direction?
– Making everyone's life more comfortable is one of the most important tasks of the local authorities. Very recently, the residents of the Molodezhnaya Street microdistrict in Beshenkovichi received a real gift. A section of the road, which for a long time was, frankly, in poor condition and caused a lot of inconvenience to both drivers and pedestrians, has finally been repaired. A little earlier, sidewalks appeared here. But this is not a one-time action – this work will continue in the region.
Subbotniks and months of improvement are held in the settlements. It is important that people themselves take care of their native region. Everything possible should be done to make the streets not just clean, but well-kept. If every resident makes a small contribution to the common cause, I am sure that the region will shine with new colors, and we will not be ashamed of our village or settlement, neither before our descendants nor before guests.
– Children are our future, so it is important to create conditions for the successful implementation of the educational process. What has been done to strengthen the material and technical base of schools, kindergartens, and other institutions?
– Over the past three years, more than one million rubles have been spent on the repair of educational institutions. Electronic learning tools, 30 LCD panels, three computer classes, three interactive whiteboards, and two chemistry labs were purchased for 95 thousand rubles. Three school buses with a total cost of 340 thousand rubles were bought to organize safe transportation of students.
As part of the "Modernization of the Education System of the Republic of Belarus" project, work is underway on the capital repair of the Ostrovno kindergarten-secondary school. Funds in the amount of 375 thousand rubles were allocated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Today, design and estimate documentation for the capital repair of the roof of the district center for children and youth has been prepared. The estimated cost of the work is 250 thousand rubles.
– Another important area, without which it is impossible to imagine our life, is culture. Does Beshenkovichi district have its own cultural brand?
– Not yet, but work is underway. After all, Beshenkovichi district has a rich cultural heritage. Lev Sapega, a statesman and military figure of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, diplomat, political thinker, and patron of the arts, was born in Ostrovno. Grigory Sandler, choirmaster, music teacher, and performer, was born here at the beginning of the 20th century. The place of birth of the artist and painter Ivan Khrutsky was the town of Ulla. The path of the military figure, Major General Lev Dovator, began in Khotino.
It should be noted that the festival of spiritual creativity and culture "August Spas" held in Bocheikovo, and the district holiday "Trinity Festival" in Ostrovno have become traditional and recognizable among the local population and our guests.
Work is carried out annually to strengthen the material and technical base of cultural institutions. Currently, the children's art school is undergoing reconstruction.
– What measures for the development of the district will be implemented in the near future?
– Special attention will be paid to the creation of new high-performance jobs and small businesses, and the improvement of settlement infrastructure. In particular, it is planned to renovate secondary schools No. 1 and 2 in the district center. Further improvement of transport links is also planned in connection with the growth of freight and passenger traffic, reconstruction of power grids in the agro-towns of Ulla and Ostrovno (this year, 10 kV lines were updated from Mokhinevo to Telepnei), construction of gas supply pipelines in the agro-towns of Drozdі and Verkhovye, and increasing the level of telephone access for the population (access nodes have already been restored in the agro-towns of Dvor Nizgolov, Budilovo, Ostrovno, Bocheikovo, Sokorovo, and new ones have been built in the villages of Gorodno, Vyaderevo, Krupenino). In addition, modernization and development of the utility sector are currently underway. Work has been completed on the construction of water de-ironing stations in the agro-towns of Drozdі, Svecha, and the village of Dvurechye, and new ones are planned for construction in the agro-towns of Sinitsy, Budilovo, Rzhavka, and Verkhovye.
It should be noted that strong international relations are important for the sustainable development of the region. The first steps have already been taken in this direction, and this work will continue to broaden cooperation with other countries.
– And the last question: it's never easy to be a leader, especially for a woman. Where do you draw your strength from?
– The support of colleagues, family, and friends, primarily my parents and daughter, helps. And, of course, faith. The faith with which we cross a new milestone each time. Faith and love make the road happier, inspiration – more sublime, and strength – stronger.