Social and environmental problems of Sochi are solved very slowly, activists say

On April 4, Sochi hosted a meeting of public and ecological activists with the officials of the Mayoralty in charge of social and environmental development of the resort city. The latter stated that the earlier raised problems had been partially solved; however, NGO activists expressed their dissatisfaction with the pace the city the city problems are addressed at.

During the meeting, the Mayoralty officials reported that the problems with transport, travel fares, and resettling people from the areas threatened by landslides and other hazards, road maintenance and other environmental problems of the village of Akhshtyr and the Ahshtyr Quarry had been partially solved.

"I think the officials are simply incompetent in their own duties; they are replaced frequently and are not interested in solving the problems," said Natalia Kalinovskaya, the chair of the local self-government (known as TOS) "Psou". In her opinion, the ecological problems of the Imereti Lowland remain unsolved.

Public activists demanded from the bureaucrats to make a joint inspection of the sewer and water facilities with attraction of Professor Vladimir Kulikov.

The next meeting is scheduled for the next month and plans to raise the issue of sewerage in Sochi. Deputy Mayor Victor Filonov promised to invite experts to the meeting with activists, in order "not to hold debates but speak topically."