Robert Kocharian Visits Armenian Province of Lori

Armenpress

ROBERT KOCHARIAN VISITS ARMENIAN PROVINCE OF LORI

SPITAK, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President
Robert Kocharian visited today the Armenian province
of Lori and got acquainted with the construction works
of individual houses in the village of Shirakamut
(former Nalband) which was the epicenter of the 1988
destructive earthquake. The funds for the construction
of the houses have been released from the Armenian
state budget.
The earthquake destroyed 701 houses in the village.
Until 1997 with different funds 356 houses were built,
in 2004 by the catholic health program 73 houses were
built, in 2005 the government released 26.1 million
drams from the state budget for the construction of 7
houses, this year 70.5 million drams have been
provided and 11 houses are being constructed. The
governor of the Lori province, who was accompanying
the president, said that 180 families are still living
in wagon-houses. He also said that gas, water and
electricity issues have been solved in the village.
The villagers, on their turn, complaint that only
one first-aid post is acting in the village and there
is a necessity to construct a hospital. President
Kocharian noted that gradually all the problems of the
village will be solved. The construction of the houses
will continue during the next years as well, a sport
gym of the village school will also be constructed.
He said the solution of the problems of the rural
areas is a priority for the Armenian authorities.