Osksmen: Air-polluting Enterprises Will Not Be Closed

Enterprises polluting the air in Oskemen have paid 3.5 billion tenge in fines, the East Kazakhstan region Akim, Yermek Kosherbayev, said, Orda.kz reports.

The Akim clarified that the authorities do not intend to close the enterprises due to the deterioration of the environment.

The environmental problem is systemic and will not be solved overnight; it will not be possible to close the factories. These are very important enterprises for the country. They practically operate at the edge of what is possible in terms of technology. Everything that exists in the world is in these enterprises, the Akim said.

He says it is impossible to prevent emissions of harmful particles from the industrial zone completely.

Kosherbayev also states that the authorities understand residents' frustration and believe it is fair.

We live in this city, so we care about how people live. We collect fines. 3.5 billion tenge, they are in the local budget. In addition, the Akimat will recheck how the funds collected from fines were spent and whether they resolved environmental issues,
the regional head said.

Yermek Kosherbaev also tried to answer whether Oskemen residents receive compensation:

Senator Bulavkina brought up this issue. Our public movement also exists, which Ms. Berezinskaya organized. They will continue working in this direction. If such a decision is made, then naturally payments will be made. If not, then no. In general, there is air pollution in Astana, Almaty and Oskemen, yesterday they talked about Bishkek. Their experience needs to be studied. We need as much data as possible. Collect as much information as possible, said Kosherbayev.

Original Author: Olga Ibraeva