13 November 2009, 18:00
Kabisov: long way of Moscow money complicates restoration of South-Ossetian capital
The restoration works in Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, continue, but the process is hampered by "the long chain of receiving money from Moscow." This was stated on November 12 by Zurab Kabisov, head of the State Restoration Committee, at his meeting with journalists.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at the previous press conference in early October Mr Kabisov said that that the dwelling houses in South Ossetia, damaged or ruined in the course of the warfare last August will be completely restored or built anew within a year.
"I want to confirm that funds have quite a long travel to contractors, because the payment scheme, which was also mentioned by the Head of the IDC (Interdepartmental Commission, - comment of the "Caucasian Knot") Roman Panov, is very long. We've recently calculated that contractors are waiting for the money for about 45 days; while according to the Regulations, funds should arrive within ten days. However, because of thorough checks, since it is federal money, the procedure is delayed by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation," Mr Kabisov said.
In his opinion, this is also the reason for the outflow of labour force from the construction sites: "Contractors have invested all their advance money into building materials; but it's all the same for the workers: if you don't pay, they won't work. That is why, they runaway in whole teams."