Expert: Electric Networks of Armenia would not have spent so much for years, if Armenia's leadership had no share in it

Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) CJSC would not have spent so much for years, if Armenia's leadership had no share in it, Stepan Safaryan, the head of the Armenian Institute for International Security, told a news conference on June 5.

He said the authorities are well aware who particularly had share in that adventure, therefore the meeting of ENA Director General Yevgeny Bibin at the parliament was behind the closed doors. Safaryan called it a gross violation of journalists' rights.

"I would be happy if Bibin named the government officials that had share in that robbery," the expert said.  He is sure that Gazprom-Armenia's $300 million debt was the result of the company's unreasonable expenses. 

Safaryan is sure that the energy costs will be raised. "Maybe, they will raise the energy rate a bit less than by 17 drams, but they will raise it anyway. In such situation, the citizens must either keep silent and pay for the unreasonable spending of ENA and the government, or oppose it and take the streets. Unfortunately, the citizens fail to organize efficient protests, while the political parties that could help them in it have fully abandoned their functions," the politician said urging a criminal case against ENA over unreasonable charges. 

To note, on June 2 Republican Party  of Armenia (RPA) faction and heads of relevant bodies of the sphere held a closed meeting at National Assembly of Armenia. ArmInfo's source in RPA informs that heads of Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia Robert Nazaryan and "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC Yevgeni Bibin respectively got engaged in thrived arguments. Republican deputies and heads of competent authorities blamed Bibin and the ENA for unreasonable expenses.  However, Bibin was not even trying to remain silent or feign any excuse. Quite the opposite, he was rather determined and made it clear that part of the so-called "unreasonable expenses" was fobbed off on ENA. Those who are now blaming the company for these expenses are well aware of the situation and have something to do with it. He has made it clear he is not going to take full responsibility for the current situation. He can shed some light on the source of these "unreasonable expenses" if required. ArmInfo's source informs that neither the deputies nor the officials liked that statement. They did hope to throw the ENA under the bus. Reps of the governing Party decided to hold the June 12 discussions behind closed doors given that the situation might get out of hand and the society can find out a different side of the reality. "The decision is still to be taken, yet everything is heading in that direction", said our source. He has also added that the PSRC will only uphold the ENA's claim in part - the energy rate will be increased by 7 AMD instead of 17. This means that daytime energy will cost 50 AMD versus the current 41.85 AMD.