When forming the Investment Program of the Vitebsk region for 2016, priority will be given to financing social facilities and those with a high degree of readiness

This was stated on November 24 by Igor Isachenko, Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Construction of the Regional Executive Committee, at a meeting of the Presidium of the Regional Council of Deputies, which analyzed the progress of the document's implementation in the current year and the possible distribution of funding in 2016.

Annually, in the Vitebsk region, within the framework of the investment program, reconstruction and construction of socially significant facilities are carried out to maximally satisfy the needs of the population, with an emphasis on increasing housing construction and providing residential areas with socially guaranteed institutions. This year, the volume of funds from the regional budget allocated for these purposes has been reduced by 2 times compared to 2014, and this level will be maintained in 2016. It is planned to allocate 520.1 billion rubles for the financing of capital investments, of which more than 80% is planned to be distributed for specific purposes for the construction of engineering and transport infrastructure, new street gas pipelines, as well as for the repayment of loans issued for settlements for previously completed work.

– In conditions of budget deficit, we will have to concentrate resources on buildings and structures that are ready for commissioning, have social significance, as well as on facilities with a high degree of readiness, which we will be able to complete in the coming years, – noted Igor Isachenko, adding that the total funding requirement to complete work on ongoing utility facilities previously included in the program is about 4 trillion rubles.

Thus, more than 102.2 billion rubles can be allocated to utility facilities under the 2016 investment program, with at least 30% to be used for debt settlement for 2015. It is planned to allocate funds for the therapeutic building of the Vitebsk regional children's hospital and the infectious diseases hospital, hospitals in Orsha and Miory, the construction of a polyclinic in the Yug-7A microdistrict, as well as a nursery-kindergarten for 200 places in Orsha, sports and recreation complexes in Senno and Gorodok, and a center for supported living for the elderly "House of Mercy" in Bychiha, which are planned for commissioning. Funding for the "Clean Water" program is envisaged. The final version of the regional investment program for 2016 will be submitted for approval at the session of the regional council.

Summarizing the preliminary results of the document's implementation this year, Igor Isachenko explained that, taking into account all its adjustments, the volume of financial resources for the program amounted to 440.6 billion rubles, of which 93.3% has already been utilized. In December, it is planned to commission two residential buildings for families raising orphans in Gorodok and Postavy. The reconstruction and major overhaul of the bridge over the Dnieper River in Orsha have been carried out, the first phase of which is already planned for commissioning, including thanks to the attraction of additional resources in the amount of about 6 billion rubles from the republican road fund.

Financing for a number of healthcare, education, culture, and sports facilities in various regions of the oblast continued. In addition, funds were allocated for the implementation of a landmark economic project – the Miory plant for the production of sheet metal and tinplate, for which the oblast undertakes to build engineering and transport infrastructure, which will cost about 45 billion rubles. Furthermore, within the framework of the investment program, work was carried out on a site of special historical significance – the reconstruction of the "Breakthrough" memorial complex in Ushachi. Its financing will continue in 2016 in order to complete all work, including landscaping, by May 9 and prepare the memorial site for the holiday events.

Sergey Antonov, "Vitebskiye Vesti".