City Mayor –Achilles’ Heel of Kutaisi

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Kutaisi mayor Nugzar Shamugia resigned. He wrote resignation letter on December 7.

He still does not comment on his decision. However, it is clear that last visit of president in Kutaisi was crucial for him. Shamugia was rebuked about polluted streets and socially disabled family by the president in front of TV-cameras.

Opposition parties considered it was president’s pre-election campaign and started to speak about the controversy in the National Party. People say, MP Akaki Bobokhidze will replace the protégé of Imereti regional governor Mikheil Chogovadze.

Nugzar Shamugia is the seventh mayor of Kutaisi City after the rose revolution; he had been on the position for 32 months. Nobody else had kept the position for so long time.

We can say the mayor is the Achilles’ heel for Kutaisi. Opposition and part of society connects the problem with unserious attitude of the central government towards Kutaisi.

“It is impossible to change city mayors every second months. It results into changes of entire personnel of the city hall. It is not serious to meet various people for one problem at the city hall … and it continues endlessly. The central Government should remember that unless they change their attitude towards the city, nothing will be done in Kutaisi. It is fact; they do not consider Kutaisi as a serious city. It can happen in another city”, said a resident of Kutaisi, Giorgi Chikhladze.

Local opposition party members predicted resignation of Nugzar Shamugia very often. Former mayor left more to do than he did himself.

“There are so-called untouched articles in Kutaisi budget, which are oriented on the comfort and welfare of local officials. The city authority sequesters the funds allocated for the assistance of citizens. The program of Material Assistance has been hindered for 3 months. So-called program for residential buildings has not started yet, which intends to roof and restore 223 residential buildings in the city. It means several thousands of people will spend upcoming winter in the street. The city hall and municipality board are responsible for these”, said the members of Kutaisi office of Republic Party several weeks ago.

They think the interests of Kutaisi residents are not considered in Kutaisi budget 2009, which is about 45 million GEL.

We will learn in near future who will have to consider requirements of Kutaisi citizens and how attentive s/he will be on the position.