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2013 was a year of challenges for the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure. Despite the problems and difficulties that the Ministry inherited from the previous government, the Ministry handled them successfully. We had to re-examine various projects and forward more than 10 cases to the law enforcement bodies. After the arrival of the new management, approaches towards project planning and implementation have completely changed; tenders became transparent and competitive;

Number of companies interested to participate in tenders have increased significantly; quality standards have been established and quality control mechanisms improved; methodology for setting priorities and selecting projects has been developed; GIS system has been created; activities at the Ministry have become open and transparent, information – available. The fact that our Government rejected the vicious practice established by the previous one during the recent years and did not use administrative resources in the election process is important. Despite numerous large-scale projects that we are implementing throughout Georgia, none of the facts of using them by the ruling team for the benefit of its Presidential Candidate have been recorded.

The budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia was GEL 901 mln out of which GEL 501 was allocated for improvement of road infrastructure, around GEL 182 – for rehabilitation of regional and municipal infrastructure, GEL 82 mln for supporting IDPs and creating honorable living conditions for them, GEL 130 mln for rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure, more than GEL 4 for elaboration and management of region and infrastructure development policy.

How did we finish 2013? Cash execution of the Ministry at the end of the year was GEL 745 mln (final data will be available by January). Last year execution of the Ministry was GEL 655. As you see difference between the figures is GEL 90 mlnand it is on the background ofour competitors saying that the implementation of infrastructureprojects stopped.

What exactly did we do?

In 2013 the Ministry drafted a new Self-Government Code which completely changes the vicious system established during the last 20 years. As a result of the reform number of self-governing cities will increase and communities will be formed from villages on the basis of which municipalities will be established. Mayors and Heads of Executive bodies will be elected through direct voting. Local municipalities will be given financial resource and authorities for solving their own problems. Level of involvement of citizens in the process of resolution of the issues of local importance will increase; quality of provision of public services will improve;

A consultation council compiled of local mayors, heads of executive bodies (“Gamgebeli”) and chairs of city councils will be established at the Governor’s office. The council, along with the representatives of central government will take care of development of its region. Despite that the Draft Code was negatively assessed by certain groups, I would like to state that none of the articles of the Code included threats for the integrity of the country. As you know the Self-Government Code was approved by the Parliament at the first hearing.

Construction of central highway was actively ongoing in 2013. Roads Department of Georgia implemented construction works on 5 sections of the highwayat the same time.

12,4 km section of the Kobuleti bypass road was finished and commissioned. 13 water conductive pipes, 14 bridges and 3 underground tunnels as well as drainage systems were arranged.

Construction of another 19 km section of Kobuleti bypass road started and will be finished in 2016.

Construction of 15 km section of Zestafoni-Kutaisi bypass road, 17 km section of Kutaisi bypass road and 14 km section of Kutaisi-Samtredia road are actively underway. They will be finished stage by stage in 2014-2015.

Works are underway on Ruisi-Agara 19 km section out of which 3 km section have already been commissioned.

Tender procedures are finished on one of the important sections – Tbilisi-Rustavi section, as well as Agara-Zemo Osiauri and Samtredia-Grigoleti sections where the winner companies will start works from 2014.

Elaboration of feasibility study of Chumateleti-Zestafoni or Rikoti pass section is ongoing.

Altogether construction works were ongoing on 111 section of high-speed highway in 2013. Road cover was arranged on 28,4 km section and traffic was opened 15,4 km.

If we compare current construction activities on the central highway we will see that the Ministry implemented activities on 34 more sections compared to the last year. This year we opened 15,4 section road compared to the 1,5 km section opened on the central highway last year.

The Ministry paid special attention to rehabilitation of international and secondary roads.

19 km section of Mtskheta-Stefantsminda-LarsiKobi-Gudauri international road was opened; tunnels and galleries existing there were repaired and road was widened on some sections. It shall be noted that this road have not been rehabilitated since 1991.

After renovation of Larsi customs point, 1,5 km section on the neutral territory at the Russia-Georgia border was rehabilitated. Bridge and tunnel existing there were rehabilitated.

Rehabilitation of Tskaltubo-Lentekhi, Dedoplistskaro-KvemoKedi, Alpana-Utsera, Alpana-Orbeli, Shukruti-Korbouli, Tskaltubo-Khoni, Igoeti-Lamiskana, Ingiri-Shamgoni, Mukhuri-Taia, Sajijao-Lesichine, Jvari-Chkvaleri-Sachino, Mongiri-Akhuti, Tbilisi-Tianeti, Tianeti-Jinvali, Zarzma-Adigeni and other roads are actively underway.

Altogether 260 km section road was rehabilitated in 2013. It is 60 km more compared to the last year data and 45 bridges (last year it was 28) and 5 tunnels (lat year – 2 tunnels).

The Ministry also paid huge attention to rehabilitation of rural and secondary road rehabilitation. 21 such roads were rehabilitated by the Municipal Development Fund on which more than GEL 15 mln was spent. Works of GEL 31 are underway.

In 2013 the Ministry announced supply of potable water to the population as one of its priorities. Within the frames of EUR 40 mln allocated by the EIB mass-scale rehabilitation works are finished in 17 cities.

60 mln project of water supply of Kutaisi, Poti and Anaklia started by funding from ADB; 75 % of Kutaisi will have 24 hour water supply and 25 % – improved water supply  as a result of the project;

Around GEL 300 mln investment for rehabilitation of 32 cities was attracted from donor organizations;

An agreement considering water supply works in 25 municipalities and 3 boroughs was signed between Georgia and EIB. For this purpose Georgia will receive funding of EUR 40 mln

Construction-rehabilitation works of GEL 6 400 000 started in 16 cities and will start in 11 cities with the resources of the United Water Supply Company.

Modern mobile labs for controlling water quality were bought in 2013. Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Ozurgeti, Poti, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Bolnisi and Telavi were equipped by mobile labs. Labs for checking water meters were installed in Kutaisi service center and Mtskheta training center.

It shall be noted that the United Water Supply Company installed water meters to 36 thousand more subscribers in 2013. The income from the payments of subscribers achieved to GEL 1 mln 400 thousand compared to the GEL 213 000 last year.

Roads Department of Georgia and Municipal Development Fund actively implemented shore protection works in 2013. Three projects shall be especially highlighted: embankment protection in the village of Lasuria, which solved the problem of connection to the central highway for around 1 000 villages; shore protection works on the coast of  Anaklia started. Shore protection works with tetrapods arebeing carried out; after completion of tender procedures works of the same nature will start on Batumi coastline.

In 2013 the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure took special care of creating honorable living conditions for IDPs. Residential blocks for IDPs in Kutaisi, Terjola, Vani, Tskaltubo, Zestaponi, Poti, Zugdidi, Kareli and Marneuli were rehabilitated on which around GEL 12 mln was spent. The flats were already given to 335 families. Construction of 15 new residential blocks started in Zugdidi and Poti.

The Ministry paid special attention to implementation of infrastructure projects in the villages at the conflict zone. Several large-scale projects were implemented in the conflict zone during 2013. Saltavi-Tirifoni irrigation system was rehabilitated. Irrigation water supply problem was solved for 16 villages through Saltvisi irrigation channel and 23 villages – through Tirifoni irrigation channel. Drilling of additional wells with the purpose of improvement of water supply to the population of the villages adjacent to the occupied territories in the gorge of Little Liakhvi – Zardiantkari, DidiKurvaleti, Gegutaantkari and Koshka was implemented based on the decision of the Government of Georgia. As a result of the implementation of the project water supply problem was solved for the villages adjacent to the occupied territories. Population enjoys water supply on a daily bases; Sagolasheni-Dvani, Gorijvari, Lamiskana-Akhmaji-Tvaurebi, Karaleti-Kveshi motor roads were rehabilitated;

In 2013 the Government of Georgia made a decision on construction of 81 new outpatient buildings throughout the country. GEL 2 mln 400 thousand is allocated for the construction and is being implemented by the Municipal Development Fund.

Century Projects – this is the assessment of the three projects initiated by the Ministry, implementation of which started in three different regions of the country

Roads Department of Georgia implemented massive-scale embankment protection works on the river Alazani, Kakliskure in 2013 which retained around 200 ha of land to Georgia. For many years the river has been washing away the land on this territory. More than 200 ha.of land would have been lost if the works had not been carried out. Embankment protection of other territory, planned for 2014 comes on the agenda after the works in Kakliskure are finished.

Cutting of a new road in Khevsureti and Racha was also decided in 2013. Sources of funding of these two important projects have practically been raised.

Arkhoti-Roshka road will connect Pirikita and PiraketaKhevsureti. Road construction will start on Spring, 2014. Until now only a foot path exists there and the local population who left their native region because of absence of road and lack of normal living conditions cannot go back to their houses. 32 families expressed readiness to go back to their homes after the motor road is laid.

Construction of a new road have been planned in Racha. Works have already started on Sachkhere-Shqmeri-Oni road. Intensive works are planned for 2014. As a result of the project the distance from Tbilisi to Oni will be covered in 2,5 hours. The most important thing is that the implementation of the project will bring life back to the gorge of ZemoRacha which is practically deserted. Construction of a road on this section will create social and economic prospectives.

In 2013 important activities have been implemented in terms of regulation of issues related to landfills.Solid Waste Management Company took 49 landfills throughout the country under the right to manage. Offices of companies were opened in 9 cities. Altogether improvement process of 49 landfills throughout the year was ongoing by using the relevant heavy equipment. 8 priority landfills in Telavi, Gori, Mtskheta, Akhaltsikhe, Amrbolauri, Kutaisi, Ozurgeti and Zugdidi were improved and commissioned.

Feasibility study for a new sanitary landfill in Imereti was developed. Within the frames of the feasibility study construction of a new, modern standard landfill will start in 2014. So-called “Nikea” landfill, currently existing in Kutaisi will be closed down and the site will become a recreational zone. Construction of a new landfill is planned to be finished by 2016;

The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure is actively taking care of development of resort zones. Implementation of Tetnuldi ski resort project is ongoing in Mestia. In 2013 warehouse was arranged on 3,2 ha land where around 170 containers received from France are warehoused; installation of new cable roads will start from 2014.

Rehabilitation of Kvareli was finished in 2013, access road to the Lake of Ilia was arranged, Tskaltubo rehabilitation project is intensively ongoing.

As you are aware, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure is responsible for drafting conscripts. This year altogether around 10 thousand conscripts were drafted. The Ministry drafted 2 300 conscripts during the summer conscription whereas during the autumn conscription, which has been recently finished, – 7, 300 conscripts were drafted.

2013 became the year of unprecedented support for regions.Infrastructure works approved by the Fund of the Projects to be implemented in the Regions of Georgia and the Village Support Program is actively ongoing. Total cost of these programs amounted to more than GEL 270 mln in 2013 which is an unprecedented high indicator compared to the previous years. Within these funds municipal roads, water supply, shore protection and other problematic issues were resolved. Within the frames of both projects around 8 thousand medium and small size infrastructure projects were implemented in the cities (towns) and villages of Georgia.

Overall, projects from the Fund for the Projects to be Implemented in the regions of Georgia and Village Support Program have been redistributed per regionin the following manner:
 

• Ajara – 630 projects; total cost – 4 890 032 GEL;
• Guria – 635 projects; total cost – 18 140 886 GEL;
• Imereti – 1608 projects; total cost – 61 693 407 GEL;
• Samegrelo-ZemoSvaneti – 1249 projects; total cost – 45 209 979 GEL;
• Racha-Lechkhumi-KvemoSvaneti – 374 projects; total cost – 10 112 137 GEL;
• ShidaKartli – 533 projects; total cost – 24 335 010 GEL;
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti – 603 projects; total cost – 14 141 332 GEL;
• Samtskhe-Javakheti– 481 projects; total cost – 23 047 232 GEL;
• KvemoKartli – 512 projects, total cost – 35 770 843 GEL;
• Kakheti – 672 projects; total cost – 35 724 750 GEL.

The Ministry headed several governmental commissions including the Governmental Commission for Regional Development conducting selection and administration of the projects to be implemented in regions; Census Commission -as it is known general census will be held in November, 2014 in Georgia. Preparatory works started in 2013. First stage of the census has already been finalized.

The Ministry also headed the Governmental Commission for Studying Problematic infrastructure projects. The commission worked on various problematic issues.

Temporary State Commission for the Reaction to the Needs of the Affected Population in the villages in the conflict zone also worked actively. The Commission made a lot of decisions which will make harsh living conditions for the population of the villages at the conflict zone lighter.

By the initiative of the Prime-Minister of Georgia an Interagency Commission for the Resolution of the Problems of the Homeless was established. Asylum for the homeless was opened as soon as the frosts started. Currently more than 200 homeless people live in the asylum; they are provided with heating, food, clothes, medications and every condition to hibernate in more or less normal conditions. It is important that the state takes care and considers long-term plans for solving the problem of the homeless.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure operatively reacted on the natural calamities and problems caused by them throughout the year. 48 natural calamities have been recorded in Georgia in 2011, in 2012 – the number was 52, in 2013 – 82. The Government of Georgia spent GEL 50 mln for restoration of the infrastructure damaged by natural calamities. Preventive measures for diminishing the damaged caused by the natural calamity are planned.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure was actively involved in various social actions in 2013. The Ministry and structural units under it were involved in the donation program – “Donate Blood – save a life.”

In 2013 the Ministry participated in several environmental protection activities including the cleaning and greening actions in Mtskheta, Rustavi and other cities along with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure set transparency and accountability before the public as its priority. The Ministry rejected old, vicious practice and became one of the most transparent Ministries. In 2013 IDF named the Ministry as one of the most transparent bodies and gave an award “For ensuring availability of public information in 2012-2013.” The Ministry reacted on all of the 85 applications registered in the Ministry requesting public information. A new web-page was created on which public information is proactively published and citizens can request the information in an electronic form.

Like 2013 the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure is planning implementation of various important projects. All the projects are focused on citizens and solving their problems.