At the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, not only residents of Vitebsk and the Vitebsk district, but also those from neighbouring regions, attended a personal reception and direct line with Anatoly Linevich, the President’s Aide – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region. The issues raised primarily concerned housing and communal services.
The first person to reach the President’s Aide by phone was a resident of Vitebsk whose house is located near the "Elektro" enterprise. The applicant stated that she has a visual impairment and complained:
— Today, new tenants are imposing their own order at the factory, having demolished three spans of the fence to create a car park. However, previously, everything was organised there for the convenience of us visually impaired people – special handrails helped us navigate and feel more confident. Please, help restore everything as it was before!
Anatoly Linevich reassured her:
— We will definitely look into the problem and provide support to the people. This is precisely the purpose of the state.
A representative from the Liozno District found herself in a difficult life situation:
— I cannot manage to get a voucher for a sanatorium, yet I am in great need of rehabilitation. I suffered from coronavirus for eight months and still cannot recover.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the woman is currently unemployed. For over 20 years, she worked as a kindergarten teacher before being made redundant. She had conscientiously paid trade union dues her entire life, the caller continued:
— And now I am in a vicious circle. Please help to get things moving.
The resident of Liozno was assured that her situation would be studied in detail and a response would be provided based on the possibilities within the law.
The owner of a flower shop at 54 Lenin Street in Vitebsk is tired of "battling" with the sewage system. She says their shop floods every other day, even without rain, and suspects that the root of the problem lies in the reconstruction carried out a year ago, possibly with some issues. "Employees from the Housing and Communal Services Repair and Operation Trust come to us every other day, but the problem needs a comprehensive, once-and-for-all solution," notes the Vitebsk resident.
A summer resident from Komary, Vitebsk District, has several requests. The most significant is about cleaning the village well, which was once dug by the locals themselves. Directly during the reception, the applicant was explained that the water supply in Komary is provided by three public wells on the balance of the Housing and Communal Services Enterprise. All of them are cleaned and disinfected in a timely manner. The well the woman is referring to will also not be left unattended. The logical next step for the villagers who use it is to collect money and pay for the service.
Residents of a brand-new apartment building at 8 Truda Street in the regional center came to the Assistant to the President as a last resort. Having decided on shared construction, they did not expect to spend two years on tenterhooks. There are so many defects, from essentially dilapidated balconies to numerous cracks on the facade, that it is unsafe to live in the building.
- The problem needs to be addressed in stages, - Anatoly Linevich noted. And the applicants sincerely hope that this time their appeal will help correct the construction errors without resorting to court.
Not only complaints and requests for assistance were heard during the direct line, but also words of gratitude. Irina Vinogradova from the village of Glazomichi gave high praise to the efforts of the Vitebsk District administration:
— Thank you for organizing the wonderful district “Dozhinki” festival, thanks to which our rural council has been noticeably transformed!
Despite the fact that many receptions of citizens and hotlines of various departments are held in the country today, there are still plenty of appeals. This is not an indicator that local authorities are not working effectively, but rather a litmus test – people trust the government, expect its help and support, including in the most difficult situations. It is necessary to talk and communicate with the population, Anatoly Linevich concluded:
- Today people see that through personal receptions and direct lines, this opportunity exists. Just as there is full feedback and contact with the authorities. All this activates people, makes them understand that their problems are heard and resolved within the framework of the law.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by
