Mayor Vows Hot Water Supply for Sofia Residents

The Mayor of Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, warns companies providing services to not twist the arms of the city's residents. Photo by BTA

The Mayor of Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, labels reports that the residents of the city will be left without hot water beginning July 2012 "absurd."

She made the statement in connection with threats from Bulgargaz that it would cut natural gas supply to the Heating Utility Toplofikatsiya over unpaid debt.

Fandkova has met Wednesday with the CEOs of both companies to work on a repayment plan under which Bulgargaz is to receive BGN 30 M by July 10, which has "appeased" the gas supplier.

The Mayor warned companies providing services to not twist the arms of the city's residents.

"It is impossible to not allow the largest consumer of natural gas to have a say in determining prices and the municipal heating utility already repaid some of the outstanding debt to Bulgargaz," said she, speaking Thursday for the Bulgarian National Television, BNT.

In connection with other reports that the Sofia Water company is asking a 12% increase of prices of water supply, Fandakova commented that it was irrational to think that every concessionaire can determine prices, which is done by the respective watchdog, based on particular criteria and investments.

The Mayor noted that despite tensions between Sofia Water and the City Hall, the contract would not be annulled.

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