We do not wait for autumn. We are already working with local self-governments on preparation for a new heating season. We emphasise that today local budgets are not spending enough on this preparation. The sum of 11 billion, allocated in the budgets for the preparation to the next season, is not enough. Compared to precious years, when 20% were allocated from the budget to get ready for the winter, 3% are allocated today, informed Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, on the air of Pryamyi TV Channel.

The official stressed that due to financial decentralisation, the roads, fountains, sidewalks and parks are currently being repaired on the ground. However, the main issue of critical infrastructure concerns heat supply, water supply and sewage. These are the issues that happen not only from the point of view of equipment repairs, but also in terms of building relationships between local authorities and NJSC Naftogaz. They should be regulated during the summer months – equipment and social infrastructure should be ready, etc.

“I emphasise once again that the government does not have a tap that provides heating. The government's task is to transfer opportunities, powers, resources to the ground and build relationships between actors in the market, so that there are no disputes. Therefore, today we are solving the issue of restructuring the debts of heating providers, created in previous years. It is also a matter of regulatory policy and tariff setting. Currently, only 47 heat supply companies remain under regulation of the National Commission on State Regulation in the Energy and Communal Service Sectors. We transferred everything else and the tariffs to the local level,” said Hennadii Zubko.

According to him, due to the lack of timely preparation of local self-government bodies for the heating season, responsibility must be imposed. And in this context, it is very important for the Parliament to adopt the law on state supervision.

“For the third month in a row, we have very difficult negotiations with all associations of cities, oblast councils, village councils, and AHs regarding the introduction of the law on state supervision. As the state we must control, first of all, the delegated powers: the way the high-quality educational, healthcare, social services, housing and communal services are provided, etc. Therefore, I emphasise once again that it is not a matter of controlling the use of funds on the ground, but primarily, the efficiency and ensuring high-quality services,” Hennadii Zubko emphasised.