The Parliament created a commission of inquiry to analyze the economic and financial situation at the State Enterprise "Railway of Moldova" and the results of the activity of the railway transport sector in 2010-2020.
It is planned that the commission of inquiry will involve all the authorities responsible in this area, hear all parties and, within 6 days, present to parliament a report on the results and conclusions of the investigation. The commission included 10 members: Oleg Lipschi (chairman of the commission), Nicolai Pascaru, Alexandru Jolnaci (all from Socialist Party of RM); Angel Agache (Pro Moldova group), Corneliu Padnevici (Pentru Moldova platform); Petru Frunze and Radu Marian (PAS); Ion Leuca (Democratic Party of RM); Igor Himici ("Sor" party); Alexandru Slusari (Platforma DA). The reason for the creation of the commission was the critical financial situation at the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova”. According to the data provided, at the end of 2020, the accounts payable of the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova” amounted to 459.4 million lei, and the wage arrears (partly for October and November 2020) amounted to 35.5 million lei. The arrears of contributions to the social and health insurance budget amounted to 26.9 million lei, and to the state budget - 5.5 million lei. There is also a shortage of working capital as a result of the formation of debt, which as of December 30, 2020 amounted to 275.4 million lei. Petru Burduja, Deputy Chairman of the Commission on Economy, Budget and Finance, stressed that during the public hearings in the commission, the attention of the founder and the administration of the Railway Company was drawn to the need to resolve the problem of debt to employees as soon as possible. The inadmissibility of the termination of intercity railway communication was also emphasized. At the same time, the deputy stressed the importance of preserving jobs at the Moldovan Railways enterprise, which is of strategic importance from a socio-economic point of view. The precarious financial position of the Railway Company was caused by ineffective management in previous periods, as well as a sharp reduction in freight and passenger traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the Commission on Economy, Budget and Finance insist on the presentation of a specific action plan developed by the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, the Public Property Agency as a founder, and the administration of the Railway Company. This document should contain viable and real solutions to improve the situation at the State Enterprise “Railway of Moldova”, first of all - an immediate solution to the problem of paying salaries (about 6,800 employees). // 04.02.2021 — InfoMarket.
