Meghri and Agarak gas supply is continually delayed

Still in December 2011 Armenian and Iranian governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on providing assistance to Armenia. Within the framework of the MoU Government of Iran provided ArmRosgasprom CJSC (now Gazprom Armenia) with a $ 2 million grant to build a gas supply network for the population in Meghri and Agarak towns of Syunik mars.

The project aimed at improving social conditions of residents in these towns through natural gas supply to their apartments and decreasing deforestation in the region.

5 years after receiving the grant, on 21st December 2016 the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources announced that gas supply network construction works were completed in Meghri and Agarak communities bordering with Iran. The symbolic fire was lit in the towns and the gas supply was launched. The event coincided with the visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Armenia. However, neither Meghri nor Agarak residents still have natural gas in their apartments.

In response to our question the municipalities replied that they are not aware of the stage of works and when the residents would get gas supply.

We tried to get an explanation on the issue from the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources. We were informed by the letter received in response to our inquiry that the process was not over yet, it was at the stage of state registration of property rights, though in 2016 the same agency announced the launch of gas supply.

Thus, residents of Meghri and Agarak communities are still without blue fuel despite of all available prerequisites for it. We can say that there is an obvious lack of “drive” in these communities.