Moldovan government to monitor fair distribution of firewood

Chisinau, 4 Aug. /MOLDPRES/- The Cabinet of Ministers has prepared several measures to ensure the rational and fair consumption of firewood in the cold season this year, in the context of the energy crisis and the vulnerability of the Republic of Moldova, due to the war in Ukraine and the unpredictability of the Russian Gazprom concern. This was stated by Dumitru Udrea, Secretary General of the Government, who held a press conference on this topic today.

"The Government's plan provides for the priority provision of firewood for the most disadvantaged categories, especially poor families and the elderly. We will also supervise to ensure a correct distribution, preventing illegal cutting", said Dumitru Udrea.

According to the official, the price of firewood at the Moldsilva Agency will remain the same as last year. "For the wood of hard species, 550-870 lei will be paid for one square meter (approx. 45 euros), and for soft species - around 350 lei per square meter. The wood can only be picked up during the day, with the appropriate documents, only by households and public institutions, especially educational ones. Economic agents will not be able to procure wood from Moldsilva", mentioned Udrea.

The distribution of firewood will be done in two stages. The premium will include the period until December, when each household on the list of beneficiaries will be able to purchase up to three sterile meters of wood. The second stage will take place in December, depending on the weather conditions.

"With the intensification of the firewood distribution supervision measures, the sanctions will also be increased in case of violations detected in this regard. However, in a short time the Government will launch a hotline, where the population will be able to inform the authorities about illegal cutting and irregularities committed in the distribution process. The use of firewood is not a permanent measure, but rather an exception, applied during the transition period to other, more efficient measures of insurance with thermal agent", summarized Dumitru Udrea, Secretary General of the Executive.