TASHKENT, JUNE 14 2017 (The Bulletin) — Dashing hopes of any major infrastructure development for domestic gas supplies, Uzbekneftegas chairman Alisher Sultanov said that Uzbekistan’s regions should get used to only having sporadic access to gas.
Speaking at a press conference in Tashkent, Mr Sultanov said that “there was no hope for this” when asked by a journalist if he expected an improvement in domestic gas supplies. Instead he blamed ordinary Uzbeks of disrupting the gas system by stealing from it.
His comments are important as they fly in the face of an ambitious development and investment programme promoted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took over as leader in September last year.
Irregular gas supplies outside Tashkent have become a persistent complaint since the early 2000s. Local residents rely on firewood and coal to cook and keep warm or on canisters of liquefied natural gas.
Mr Sultanov was blunt and said people should save energy rather than rely on the government.
“The gas supply systems in the regions have been abused by the people for 25 years,” he said. “There will be no gas.”
Previously, Uzbeks have accused the government of putting profits ahead of domestic supplies and also of being prepared to risk people’s lives by not providing proper gas supplies during Uzbekistan’s often freezing winters.
And ordinary Uzbeks met Mr Sultanov’s comments with derision.
“Can Uzbekneftegaz still not decide on its main task as a national company? What is more important for the company? Increasing natural gas supplies to the population or increasing exports to China?” said one man who asked to remain anonymous.
The reaction on Facebook, which ordinary Uzbeks use to discuss their affairs, was also incredulous.
“Let Alisher Sultanov spend a week in the regions where there are no gas and electricity in the winter and then he will think over whether giving gas is worth it or not,” another man said.
ENDS
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(News report from Issue No. 333, published on June 19 2017)
