President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko draws attention to the role of citizens in maintaining order and developing settlements. He stated this on November 4, while visiting the urban-type settlement of Bolbasovo in the Orsha district, according to a BELTA correspondent.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko draws attention to the role of citizens in maintaining order and developing settlements. He stated this on November 4, while visiting the urban-type settlement of Bolbasovo in the Orsha district, according to a BELTA correspondent.
The Head of State familiarised himself with the improvement and social development of Bolbasovo. Communicating with local residents, he said that Belarus had been gradually bringing order to the country, starting from the capital and ending with agro-towns. However, small settlements like Bolbasovo were left somewhat aside. "We have established cleanliness and order, but you will have to maintain it yourselves," the President noted.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the need for further greening of the settlement, development of park areas, and in general, the creation of the most comfortable living conditions for people. Settlements like Bolbasovo or Kopys are a model according to which similar settlements throughout the country will be put in order in the coming years.
The President called on citizens themselves to participate in this process to the extent of their abilities and capabilities. "We need to get moving. Do not rely solely on the state. It will play its role," said Alexander Lukashenko. "Where the state must act, where you cannot, you should demand it from the state."
He also emphasised that he is not a supporter of an exclusively market-based approach and that the state will continue to play the necessary role in the development of territories – their improvement, and the creation of new jobs. "This beauty will be in demand by people only when they have a place to work. Therefore, we also need to create jobs," the President noted. To boost economic development, construction is currently underway near Bolbasovo, and the airport is being restored, near which a large industrial and logistics centre will be located. "There is excellent logistics here – an international highway, a railway hub, and there will be an air harbour," added Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State called for a pragmatic approach to the use of vacant buildings and premises, as some of them can be repurposed instead of demolished, including for business development and the creation of organisations to serve the population.
"This settlement is a symbol of our unbreakable friendship with the Russians. Many worked here (during the Soviet era. - BELTA's note), most of them Russian people. Belarusians, Russians, Ukrainians… Different nationalities lived here and once operated this airfield. It was one of the strategic military airfields. Let this restored settlement be a symbol of our unshakeable friendship of the Slavic peoples, primarily Russians and Belarusians. It is like a monument," the President said.
"We will gradually help you where the state should lend a shoulder. And they say that the state is us (the people. - BELTA's note). So let us strengthen this state," Alexander Lukashenko urged. "Everything is up to you now. And to arrange your lives. No one from the outside will come and help. On the contrary, out of envy, they will try to slow you down somewhere."
During his conversation with the residents of Bolbasovo, the Head of State also touched upon the demographic issue, expressing a wish for families to have at least three children: "We need people very much. For Belarus to exist. Belarus, being sovereign and independent, is primarily its people."
Alexander Lukashenko walked along the central street of the urban settlement, familiarising himself with the improvement of the locality. Among other things, the road surface has been replaced and repaired, social facilities, building facades and courtyards have been renovated, modern children's and sports grounds have been equipped, the issue of providing the population with quality drinking water has been resolved through the construction of a de-ironing station, and attention has been paid to landscaping the territory.
Local residents gathered along the route of the Head of State, many of whom not only expressed gratitude for the positive changes that had occurred but also voiced wishes for the further development of the settlement. One of these areas concerns retail services. The President personally assessed the assortment in two grocery stores, one state-owned and the other private. It was noted that both are generally in demand among customers, and prices for certain goods may vary, but on average, they are at approximately the same level.
During his visit to a private grocery store, the President emphasized that when implementing a more flexible pricing policy, it is necessary to level the playing field for state-owned and private retail organizations. "Therefore, create conditions so that they can operate on equal terms – private stores and state-owned ones. The main thing for people is that the product is of good quality and inexpensive," the Belarusian leader remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko urged a cautious approach to the construction of large chain stores in this area to avoid ruining small, conveniently located shops. "I would not recommend you build chain stores here, as they will destroy the small ones. We have 11 such shops, within walking distance, so to speak. They compete with each other. And if we let a chain store in here now, it has the opportunity to halve prices, and it will destroy these (small stores – BELTA editorial note), and then raise prices. However, such tricks are unacceptable here. I have warned them all. Be very careful with this. I do not want to recommend whether to ban it or not, but such small shops must not be destroyed," the head of state believes.
During his conversation with local residents, the issue of improving services for the sale of industrial goods was also raised. The head of state ordered that options be considered and this issue be resolved within a year.
The President inquired in detail about the use of various facilities in the urban settlement, giving necessary instructions or advice as needed.
In Bolbasovo, Alexander Lukashenko also visited the renovated House of Culture, familiarizing himself with the work of this institution, where opportunities have been created not only for aesthetic pursuits such as dancing and singing but also for fitness activities, with a gym equipped. The head of state interacted with visitors to the House of Culture, among whom were many very young residents of the settlement, and listened with pleasure to songs performed by local ensembles. Both children and adults received sweet gifts from the Belarusian leader – specially prepared "President" chocolate bars were given to them.
After inspecting the well-maintained settlement and communicating with local residents, Alexander Lukashenko personally familiarized himself with the progress of construction of a multimodal industrial and logistics complex in Bolbasovo.