The mega-projects will be fulfilled. The interview with the first deputy governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Aleksey Sitnikov

The Message of the President of Russia to the Federal Assembly contained several issues touching upon Yamal. First of all, it is his declaration on ten times increase in cargo traffic on the Northern Sea Route. The media started supposing that this message could “push” development of Yamal mega-projects as well as breathe fresh ideas into socioeconomic life of the region. If this really is going to happen, we shall ask in the interview with the first deputy governor, the curator of the corresponding sectors Aleksey Sitnikov.

On the 1st of March in the message to the Federal Assembly Vladimir Putin reminded that in the beginning of the 2000-s the capacity of ports of Russia made 300 million tonnes. During the latest 17 years it three times increased and overcame the border in 1 milliard tonnes. As Putin notes, it needs to continue increasing this potential, and he forecasts 10 times increase in cargo traffic on the Northern Sea Route. It gives reason to think about accelerating of the Yamal mega-projects. What do you think, is it possible to talk about Putin’s interest in their implementation?

The declaration of the president about many-time increase in cargo transportations on the Northern Sea Route fits into the strategy of development of the Autonomous Okrug. Construction of the new railroad line Bovanenkovo-Sabetta is closely connected with the project of the Northern Latitudinal Railway. The decree on start of the concession procedure of construction of the latitudinal railway was signed on the 22nd of February by Dmitry Medvedev. Speaking about the railroad line, we also mean the port of Sabetta. Already today it shows itself in work. As you can see, all these mega-projects are connected with each other, and the next will come to the region after the previous. Negotiations on fulfillment of the projects are being conducted at the highest level, and we do not doubt in their fulfillment.

We are talking about very expensive directions. In particular, Vladimir Putin in the message gave instructions on increase from three million families, who had improved their housing conditions, to five million. For Yamal this is a very important issue. If the task can be solved, what do you think?

The region coped with the task set by the president of the country 6 years ago – to resettle people from ramshackle housing find, which was recognized like this up to 2012, to new housing. In the result, more than 15500 residents of Yamal celebrated housewarming.
Methods of improving of the housing situation recommended by the President have already proved to be effective on the territory of our region. For example, reduction of mortgage rates. We all know about the suggestion of “Mortgage Company of Yamal”. Last year 41 families received a mortgage loan at a low interest rate. The weighted average mortgage interest rate was 6.49%. This year mortgage at a reduced rate was approved already for 8 Yamal families. In total, this year it is planned to support 118 families this way. Funds for such state support are provided in the regional budget.
Also the regional program on resettlement from ramshackle housing till 2025 is being finalized. It is necessary to resettle from more than 600 thousand square meters. The program is still being clarified, but house building is not stopped. The issue is very serious, and there is corresponding demand from builders.

As for development of agriculture. The president instructs: development of agro-industrial complex in much is connected with large production, but it should not take place in damage for small enterprises. He thanked employees of agro-industrial complex for good harvest, which exceeded even the records of the time of the USSR. He spoke about support of domestic manufacturer. What do you think, if such peculiar, non-traditional agro-industrial complex of Yamal is able to respond to this message and to be built in to processes outlined by the president?

Not just is able but even must. Life dictates it. In Yamal I would count on aquaculture and deep processing of reindeer-herding products. These are two the most important directions in this sphere.
Development of aquaculture is the list of global changes. “The fish issue” in Yamal is not being solved by specialists of agro-industrial complex, but employees of scientific and research institutions are involved into it. Changes to acting legislation are necessary in the region for development of this sphere. Public officials work on this issue.
As for deep processing of reindeer-herding products, state regulation and approval of GOST — state standards for procurement and processing of velvet antlers and endocrine-enzyme raw materials are necessary here. Supply and demand for these raw materials exist today. Thus, this market works spontaneously. The region speaks on state regulation of turnover of products and control of currency export of these goods.
Separately it would like to mark a new round in development of traditional branches of economy: fishery and reindeer husbandry. Together with indigenous population we solve tasks of establishment of quotas on whitefish catching and also issues of overgrazing of reindeer herds in tundra of Yamal. Here we should become pathfinders, because experience of other northern countries with developed reindeer husbandry does not fit for the Arctic – nature and climate conditions are different. We shall find the decision, and the governor controls these processes very strictly.

And one of the most important issues – roads. The head of the state focused special attention to regional and local roads. According to which scenario the road branch of our region will be developed? Do we make an accent on preservation and reconstruction of the existing network or on building of new roads?

In any case it is impossible to divide these directions. Preservation of the road network is our constant concern. What is the normative state of the road? This is an update of road markings twice a year on the entire length of regional routes, maintenance of thousands of road signs, patching and overhaul repair. All this means huge amounts of money. Yes, a significant part of the budget is spent on maintenance and repair of roads, but construction of new ones is also necessary for the region.
The commissioned sections of the motor road “Nadym – Salekhard” have already “reduced” the winter road. Today the main forces are thrown on construction of bridges on the route under construction. Bridges builders are going at the forefront of construction, and we need to connect sections of the road for further backfilling of the roadway. Today construction process is continued on a section with the length more than 200 kilometers and on 8 bridge passages.
Work on construction will be accelerated after transfer of commissioned sections of the road “Surgut – Salekhard”. Funds allocated for maintenance will be concentrated on the construction process.

The News Agency
“Sever-Press”