During his visit to Volgograd, Mr Zubkov held several meetings to discuss the region’s progress with the installation of gas service, as well as the results of seasonal agricultural work in 2011 and tasks for 2012. 

“The federal government and Gazprom have completely fulfilled their obligations in 2011 under the General Plan for Gas Supply to the Volgograd Region Until 2013. Of the 68 planned facilities, 57 have already been launched. Technical documentation is currently being processed for the commissioning of the 11 remaining facilities. By the end of the year, all projects will be completed,” Mr Zubkov reported, summarising the results of the meeting On the Progress of Gas Service Development in the Volgograd Region.

“We are off to a good start. Next year, this work will proceed more actively. For 2012, we have planned for the construction of an additional 82 inter-village pipelines and four gas-distribution stations, and for the renovation of 14 existing stations. We’ll meet the deadline, I am sure,” Mr Zubkov said.

“At the same time, as the governor of the Volgograd Region reported, we are resolving issues related to supplying end users with gas. I have issued a corresponding order. Specifically, Rosselkhozbank has developed a special low interest credit programme. Funds have been allocated in the regional budget to facilitate the connection of socially unprotected consumers to the gas supply,” Mr Zubkov said.       

“The positive experience gained during the implementation of the large-scale gas supply project in the Volgograd Region should be employed while working on the federal gas service programme, the preparation of which was ordered by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a few days ago,” reported Mr Zubkov.  

The discussion of issues having to do with improving the living standards in rural areas and creating favourable conditions for agricultural production continued at the meeting, On the Results of Agricultural Works in the Volgograd Region in 2011 and the Tasks for 2012.   

“The agricultural industry in the Volgograd Region has produced good results this year. In the first nine months of the year, agricultural production increased by 17% over the same period last year. These results indicate that the region’s agricultural industry has overcome the consequences of the drought in 2009-2010, and that the industry is continuing to grow.    

“There is substantial potential in greenhouse vegetable production which needs to be utilised more actively, especially considering the current gas supply work in the region. Rosselkhozbank and Rosagroleasing have positive greenhouse construction experience. The Volgograd Region can and should become a major centre of vegetable production, not only during the summer season, but year round,” Mr Zubkov said at the meeting.    

The participants of the meeting discussed preparations for the spring sowing campaign, including the provision of agricultural producers with the necessary material and financial resources such as seeds, fertilisers, fuel, equipment and loans. The participants also provided a positive assessment of the progress in the implementation of agricultural projects under the cooperation framework between the administration of the Volgograd Region, Rosagroleasing and Rosselkhozbank.

Specifically, the meeting participants reaffirmed the usefulness of the mobile banking facilities offered by Rosselkhozbank, which provide access to banking services for the residents of remote rural areas without permanent banking facilities.

In turn, Rosagroleasing has transferred a record 335 units of agricultural equipment to agricultural producers this year. Most of the equipment was provided to small farms. Among other projects that are underway, the company is also sponsoring the construction of a vegetable warehouse in the Bykovo District with a capacity of 10,000 tonnes.   

In conclusion, Viktor Zubkov wished all residents of the Volgograd Region a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. “I wish all residents of the region good health, happiness and prosperity,” Mr Zubkov said. A reporter asked him if he was planning to visit the region again in the future. “Definitely,” responded Mr Zubkov.

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Viktor Zubkov was elected a State Duma deputy at the parliamentary elections on December 4, 2011, but has decided to continue his work in the government. “I very much appreciate the support of the region’s voters, because of which I have been able to win a deputy’s seat,” Mr Zubkov said, commenting on his decision.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your confidence in me. In just a short time, the Volgograd Region has become a special place for me. During my trips across the region, I have had an opportunity to meet and talk with many people personally.  

“They are all brilliant and talented professionals. The future of the region and the country belongs to them. I am confident that with people like them, we will be able to fully implement the region’s enormous human, industrial and agricultural potential, and to significantly increase the residents’ living standards. 

“I believe we have been able to create a team of like-minded professionals that will properly represent the interests of the Volgograd Region in the State Duma and will ensure that the large-scale projects that have been launched over the past few months are fully implemented.  

“For my part, being in the government, I will continue to help the Volgograd Region and will work toward resolving the region’s social and economic problems to improve the welfare of its residents.”

From July-December 2010, Viktor Zubkov initiated and was actively involved in a series of projects in the Volgograd Region, including in the areas of agricultural development (direct product delivery and greenhouse construction), industrial production, social infrastructure (construction of sports facilities, healthcare modernisation, schools and roads), housing and utility services, as well as gas supply projects.

Specifically, Mr Zubkov initiated the preparation of the Programme for Gas Supply Development in the Volgograd Region between 2011 and 2013. He approved and launched the implementation of the General Plan for Gas Supply to the Volgograd Region. The plan provides for the construction of 258 inter-village gas pipelines stretching 3,000 km, and for supplying over 460 settlements will gas. As a result of this work, all consumers in the Volgograd Region will be supplied with gas. Gazprom’s investment in the project will total 21 billion roubles.