Government Allocates Funds for Improvement of Water Supply Infrastructure

Today, a regular session of the Armenian government was held, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan. The government made a decision to reallocate funds within the state budget for 2019, allocating 450,517.0 thousand drams to the Water Committee of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia based on the principle of increasing revenues and expenses.

This decision arises from the need to make amendments to the leasing agreements for water systems and other property used and maintained by the companies 'Yerevan Water', 'Armenian Water and Sewerage', 'Lori Water Supply', 'Shirak Water Supply', and 'Nor Akunk'. This is in line with the agreement made on December 12, 2018, between the Water Committee and 'Veolia Water' LLC, under which the 450,517.0 thousand drams will be directed towards capital works to ensure proper water supply for 10 out of 12 facilities specified in the agreement.

Minister Suren Papikyan also informed that, following negotiations over the past year within the framework of the agreement with 'Veolia Water' LLC, it has been agreed that the Republic of Armenia will carry out extensive infrastructure improvement works, and the allocated funds will be utilized for these purposes.

Regarding this matter, Deputy Prime Minister Avinyan stated: 'These works will be funded through additional tax revenues paid by our citizens to the state budget, and, in general, these funds are directed towards similar essential programs. I believe this is very important; we should not miss this opportunity to again call on everyone to diligently pay their taxes.'