President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended a ceremony to supply drinking water to Oguz city.
First, the head of state met with representatives of the district public.
Greeting the representatives of the district public, President Ilham Aliyev said:
- It is a beautiful day today. A great event is conducted – the issue of supplying Oguz city with drinking water is being resolved. I sincerely congratulate you on this wonderful event. I am sure that this project will be another contribution to the comfortable life of the people of Oguz.
Drinking water and sanitation projects are implemented in various parts of our country, and this work has become even more widespread in recent months. Last week we celebrated the completion of a drinking water project in Kurdamir, today in Ismayilli and now we are doing that in Oguz. In the coming months, these projects will be implemented in all the other regions that are not fully provided with drinking water yet. We will provide our citizens with drinking water. These are very important project for public health and comfortable life. I am aware that the problem of drinking water and sanitation has troubled the people of Oguz for many years. We have finally resolved this issue and there will not be any problems with drinking water in Oguz in the future.
At the same time, water lines are also laid in the villages. According to my information, the drinking water problem has already been resolved in some villages. In the future, this problem should be eliminated completely in Azerbaijan. These are big projects, projects that require major resources and expertise. But Azerbaijan is a strong state. The implementation of these projects shows that we can resolve any issue, and the socioeconomic development of regions is already a reality. Everywhere – in every region and every city – we are implementing infrastructure projects, are working to ensure that people live well and have jobs.
I have repeatedly been to Oguz and participated in various opening ceremonies during my earlier visits.
I remember attending the opening of a hospital and the Olympic center together. When I was here last time, we celebrated the opening of a large park. Today, we are commissioning a water project. The Heydar Aliyev Center is under construction, so we will probably meet again in the near future. So in Oguz we see an example of the dynamic development of Azerbaijan – social facilities are built and jobs being created. During one of my earlier visits, I also participated in the opening of a plant for the production of glucose, where I gave instructions on the future activities of the plant. In other words, industrial projects, projects related to income-generation are already being implemented in Oguz. Social facilities are opening, a kindergarten is about to be opened. The city has already implemented projects on water and gas supply, there is natural gas. Gas lines are also laid to the villages. This is our approach. These projects are and will be implemented in every region.
We have to make sure that there is not a single issue of concern left, in particular the construction of rural roads and bridges. Funds have been allocated for the construction of rural roads, a bridge has been built.
On the way here we celebrated the official opening of the Oguz-Gabala road. This road has been in operation for some time. It is very comfortable and beautiful. The Shaki-Gakh road is ready for opening. This road reduces the distance almost in half and stretches all the way to our north-western border. People from Baku to Balakan use this comfortable highway. Where necessary, the road was widened. In other words, I mean that all infrastructure projects are being implemented – water supply, sewage, electricity, gas, rural roads, schools, hospitals, the Olympic center, cultural facilities, etc. What else is needed?! Jobs are created. This means dynamic development! These are the realities of Azerbaijan! Throughout the 20 years of independence we have been confidently moving forward, building up our strength and enhancing our economy. We have a very serious social policy. This project is a manifestation of social policy.
I congratulate you again on this wonderful and historic event, and wish you good health, happiness and continued successes.
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President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much, I appreciate it. Indeed, Oguz has undergone fundamental changes in recent years. When I first came to Oguz in 2005, the situation was completely quite different. This means that Oguz District has actually covered a long road of development. In Azerbaijan, including Oguz District, the entire work is done consistently.
To ensure rapid economic development, it is first of all necessary, as they say, to have the initial conditions – the infrastructure, roads, electricity, gas. Without these, development would be out of the question. And we have managed to consistently resolve all of these problems.
All infrastructure projects have been implemented at a high level now.
In the future, in order to maximize the potential of Oguz District considering the local nature and climatic conditions, we should also implement a development plan on various areas. There is infrastructure here, there are roads, gas and power lines, water supply, sewage, etc. A hospital, the Olympic Center, other public places and parks are built. Further development of the district should probably be associated with tourism, with the development of agriculture and industry.
We will continue work on these three directions. I am sure that after the implementation of all major infrastructure projects, the private sector will also invest a lot here.
Earlier, I also attended the opening of a hotel here. These opportunities are also available. A beautiful road has now been built. It is now very comfortable to come here from Baku. At the same time, as you may know, Gabala has an international airport and receives international flights. It is about a half-hour journey from the airport to Oguz. That is, it can be assumed that the Oguz and has an international airport. I am sure that the number of visitors to this region – Oguz, Shamakhi, Gabala, Shaki and other districts – will increase in the future.
Currently, domestic tourism is growing more rapidly. This is also a very good indicator because people’s opportunities to have rest in their country are growing. Foreign tourism is growing as well. Various international events, music festivals and political activities are held. A summit of Turkic-speaking countries will be held in Gabala tomorrow. There are all the initial conditions for turning this area into a tourist center, a center of tourism not only in Azerbaijan but also in the region and, in the future, the world.
Of course, the development of agriculture is important. There is great potential for such development here. There are other areas which can serve the development of Oguz District and contribute to our long-term future. At the same time, public investment will be made because even though major infrastructure projects have been completed, there is still much to do. There is a lot to do in rural areas, there are not enough kindergartens. There are probably schools in Oguz District and other places that are in disrepair. This work will also be carried out sequentially. Thus, the dynamic development of our country will be provided in the future too. At the beginning of next year we should adopt the third state program on regional development. The program will specify tasks and projects for the next five years. Proposals from Oguz District have probably been submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development and the Administration of the President. On the basis of these proposals specific measures will be put in place to develop Oguz District in the next five years.
I am sure that I will come to Oguz many more times in the future because there will be many facilities ready for opening – enterprises, the magnificent Heydar Aliyev Center and other facilities. We will meet with you many more times. I congratulate you again and wish all of you good health!
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Then, President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the project and the plan on the reconstruction of water supply and creation of sewage systems in Oguz city.
The director of the State Agency for Rehabilitation and Restoration of Territories, Ali Mammadov, said that in accordance with the action plan approved by a decree of the President, a water line was to be built into Oguz city. The implementation of the project was delegated to the State Agency for Rehabilitation and Restoration of Territories. The work on the project began in November 2010. The new water system will cover Oguz city, as well as the villages of Bayan, Karimli, Gumlag, Shirvanli, Tayifli and Khalkhalgishlag. The project envisages uninterrupted water supply to 9,000 urban and 11,000 rural residents. According to the project, water requirement was to be slightly more than 47 liters per second, but due to water sources of Sazur and Almalig the actual supply constitutes 103 liters per second. The capacity of water sources currently under construction will fully address the water needs of 50,000 people. This means that the needs of the Oguz population will be fully met in 2031. Laboratory studies have confirmed that the water quality is fully consistent with both international and local standards at this stage.
It was noted that reconstruction of water supply and sewage systems of Oguz was carried out in three stages. The first stage envisaged completion of construction of the main water line from the water sources Sazur and Almalig, a reservoir, chlorination installations, a laboratory and other facilities. The checkpoint, rainwater chambers, buildings and laboratories built on the site are fitted with chlorination equipment. Two new water reservoirs with a capacity of 1,000 cubic meters have been built. In addition, a reservoir with a capacity of 200 cubic meters has been restored.
As part of the second stage, several reservoirs have been built in three parts of the city. Six reservoirs with a capacity of 250 cubic meters each, as well as water and sewerage network of the city, have been built. All subscribers in the city will be provided with water meters.
The third stage involves work on the construction of a set of water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 2,500 cubic meters. The potential of the sewage system covers Oguz city and the village of Bayan. There are plans to commission a wastewater treatment plant at the end of the year.
The head of state spoke to the participants of the ceremony.
After reviewing the work done, President Ilham Aliyev launched the installation to supply of drinking water to the city.
In conclusion, a photo was taken as a souvenir.
