I. Metshin: “For the Volga region cities the Year of Environment is of paramount importance”

(KZN.RU, May 17). Today Nizhny Novgorod held a General meeting of members of the Association of Volga Cities under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin. The key issues discussed were the interaction of municipal authorities and citizens, as well as the improvement of urban areas and public spaces.

The meeting was also attended by Oleg Melnichenko, Deputy Plenipotentiary representative of President of Russian Federation in Volga Federal district. Sergey Mironov, head of administration of Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts and Ludmila Andreeva, secretary of the Kazan city Duma were also among the delegation from Kazan.

Oleg Melnichenko welcomed the participants on behalf of Plenipotentiary of President of Russian Federation in Volga Federal district and noted that the activity of members of the Association of Volga Cities promotes the legislative initiatives for real improvement of the living standards of people across the country.

“On behalf of all the members of the Association of Volga Cities, I want to thank the Plenipotentiary representative for support. The questions we discuss always find support. I would say that without the support of the head of the region the development of municipalities is impossible. Our President Rustam Minnikhanov is an example of how regions should help the municipalities. We engage sponsors, business community, citizens to work on the improvement but in addition to regional funds from the budget the government funds repair works for roads, yards, parks, and more,” - said I. Metshin.

The heads of Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Sterlitamak, Penza and Cheboksary joined the discussion of issues related to the improvement of urban areas and public spaces.

The head of Samara city district Oleg Fursov focused on the improvement of the private sector. Among the main problems he noted the absence of sidewalks, lighting, collection and disposal of solid waste, as well as the reluctance of residents to comply with the rules of environmental cleanliness. Oleg Fursov told how in Samara there was a regulated payment system for the collection and removal of garbage by the residents of the private sector.

Ilsur Metshin praised the initiative of colleagues from Samara and said that the main success factor in the issues of improvement is working closely with public.

Following the reports, Ilsur Metshin noted the successful experience of the city of Cheboksary with the storm sewers cleaning system. “That's what we all dream of and in this respect we have much to learn from you,” - Metshin said.

“The improvement of cities, creating comfortable living conditions for residents, recreational and new public spaces is one of our main tasks, the solution of which is under our constant control. The year of 2017 was named the Year of Environment by the President of Russian Federation. For our cities, which are located in the basin of the Volga river, the year of the environment is of paramount importance, since in addition to the measures for the improvement of urban areas and environmental protection, we must direct all our forces and means for the improvement of the embankments of the rivers and lakes as well as cleaning of water bodies,” - Ilsur Metshin said.

The Mayor invited all members of the Association of Volga cities to visit the capital of Tatarstan to exchange experience. “We are improving the embankments of Kazanka river and three lakes of Kaban, located in the center of the city. The improvement projects developed with the participation of the citizens and local ecologists,” - said I. Metshin.

The Chairman paid special attention to the work of the Association with the young generation. In particular, Ilsur Metshin spoke about the initiative to create a television project “The world around and I”, which was developed on all-Russian festival “Teleklass”. The project is dedicated to the  year of environment, and the participants try to draw attention to the issues of preservation of the environment through videos. On the meeting the first three works were presented – from a young TV crews from Yaroslavl, Kazan and Samara. Very young Kazan reporters raised the issue of pollution of water bodies.

“It is encouraging to see our children caring about their mother land and that they are actively getting involved in issues of improvement. The contest will detect the winners who will receive valuable prizes,” - the Mayor of Kazan said.