«I am saying this starting today, don't come later and say, ‘Oh, there is no time’» - Pashinyan

During today’s government meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the issue of constructing 66 new schools in rural areas of the Syunik region and stated that there had been an agreement that once these schools are opened, new industrial transport vehicles would be acquired to transport children.

“It is assumed that these transport vehicles should have qualified drivers, and they need to be workers of a new standard, starting from their uniforms. Starting today, we need to announce a competition for the design of clothing, to understand how we invite these people to work, and so on. Is there anyone who can say what work has been done in this direction?” Pashinyan asked.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan responded, noting that the package is quite large and that everything is planned in phases. “I don’t want us to then come and say, ‘Oh, let’s do it through a single-source procurement’ because five years ago, when we planned, there was not enough time to announce a competition. I am saying this starting today, don’t come later and say, ‘Oh, there is no time, we need to procure from one source,’” Pashinyan responded.