Aleksandr Lukashenko visits OAO Borisovdrev 

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko made personnel decisions in relation to those, who failed to implement his instructions regarding the modernization of the wood processing industry, as the head of state paid a visit to OAO Borisovdrev within the framework of his working trip to Minsk Oblast on 8 November.

Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the company on 30 November 2012. Back then the government, the Belarusian state wood processing industry concern Bellesbumprom, the Minsk Oblast administration, and the company’s management were instructed to complete modernization of the company by November 2013.

When the President arrived at the company on 8 November, he departed from the planned itinerary and decided to see the company’s shop floors and saw flagrant mismanagement.

Despite the promises, the modernization made little headway, although there were no reasons for the delays. As a result, the public funds went down the drain.

Aleksandr Lukashenko heard out reports of other Bellesbumprom enterprises, where investment projects are being implemented and which had received clear instructions and had deadlines assigned. The President was interested in learning only what had not been accomplished.

Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the State Control Committee to thoroughly investigate the state of affairs in the industry and at individual enterprises. “Let us get together for a government session to discuss woodworking on 10 December at the latest,” the Belarusian leader said.

The President instructed Chairman of the State Control Committee Alexander Yakobson to set up a commission similar to the one that had been used to straighten the civil engineering industry. “You will have to create a commission, look through modernization plans to see what is going on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “It is necessary to check every enterprise, all of those covered by the government program for the woodworking industry modernization. That and all the instructions of mine individually. Close attention should be paid to Vitebsk,” he added.

Top executives of the Belarus President Administration were criticized for the poor preparation of the working trip: “You have come here as observers.” Andrei Tur was relieved of the post of the Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration. Head of the Belarus President Administration Andrei Kobyakov got a severe reprimand.

Severe reprimands were given to Chairman of the State Control Committee Alexander Yakobson and Chairman of the Borisov District Executive Committee Vladimir Miranovich.

Apart from that, the head of state dismissed Minsk Oblast Governor Boris Batura and Chairman of Bellesbumprom Concern Alexander Pereslavtsev.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wanted tough punishment for those who were responsible for the modernization failure. First of all, it is Director General of the Construction Trust No. 21 Nikolai Busalov who supervised the construction works at the company: “He should make a written undertaking not to leave the town. He is dismissed from his office today. If he dares leave Borisov, he will be jailed. Criminal charges should be filed against him using the evidence of the State Control Committee, and an investigation should be started,” the head of state said. The same way the President ordered to deal with those who broke environmental laws – the company’s premises were cluttered with unsorted production waste. The bank of the water reservoir located near the plant is in a disastrous condition. “Sort it out with the sanitary service. Do it yourself! Do not wait until someone else will do it for you,” the President said addressing Chairman of the State Control Committee of Belarus Alexander Yakobson.

The head of state was also unhappy with the design engineers. He ordered to look into the situation.

“If you get the slightest evidence against the chairman of the concern, against Batura, Semashko [First Deputy Premier Vladimir Semashko – BelTA’s note], criminal charges should be filed against them immediately,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President ordered Minister of Architecture and Construction Anatoly Cherny to fix the issue: “Get down to work. This is your construction company. You are not held accountable only because you were appointed [minister] not so long ago. Make sure there is perfect order here. You know what do to.”

Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich was told to report on the implementation of the President’s modernization instructions before 10 December.