IRKUTSK, May 18 (Itar-Tass) — Former governor of the Irkutsk Region Dmitry Mezentsev whose resignation was on Friday accepted by Russian President Vladimir Putin has summarised at a press conference the results of his work, stating that he is “not ashamed for any day of the governor’s work.”
“Maybe it sounds immodest, but we have done very much over three years,” he said. According to Mezentsev, during the period of his work in the region he has managed to “lay the foundation, which will no longer allow the region to be unstable.”
Commenting on the appointment of head of the Irkutsk-based Eastland holding Sergei Yeroshchenko for the post of acting governor of the region, Mezentsev said: “If he assumes this responsibility, then he is confident of himself.”
Asked by reporters whether this candidature was discussed with him, the former governor of the Irkutsk Region said: “When journalists go beyond the bounds, I usually say: ‘No comment’ and feel fine.”
He asked journalists to give support and attention to the newly appointed person. He also said that the exiting makeup of the regional government is considered to be the strongest over recent years, which will ensure stability of its functioning for the near term.
Asked if he has already been offered a new post, Mezentsev, not without irony, parried: “Colleagues, to will be the first to learn about my new employment record entry.”
Mezentsev, without giving a long thought to another question, said his main achievement as governor was holding the events on the occasion of Irkutsk’s jubilee that in September 2011 celebrated its 350th anniversary and has considerably changed its appearance for the better since then. Mezentsev’s special pride is his brainchild ‘Irkutsk Sloboda’ - a wooden historical neighbourhood in the centre of Irkutsk that was recreated by the designs on the late 19th - beginning of the 20th century and that at once became a landmark of the capital of the Baikal area.
Mezentsev believes that in general, the regional government has succeeded in implementing many projects. “I’m sure that they will be continued,” he said. As many as 83 social programs are currently being implemented in the region, the RF subject has good financial indicators: over the past three years its budget deficit has been reduced from 12 to 4.5 billion roubles, not a single loan was taken and all the old ones have been practically settled by the region. In addition, the so-called “mainstays” are being developed – modernisation of the housing and public utilities sector, repairs of hospitals, Mezentsev described the situation.