61 Kommunara Shipyard can be transformed into state concern

27.04.2010 On Apr 26 dozens of shipwrights from 61 Kommunara Shipyard (Nikolayev, Ukraine) picketed the building of regional administration claiming to repay wage arrears and determine perspective of the shipyard's further development, reports press-service of regional administration.

Chairman of administration Nikolai Kruglov came out to meet with picketers. He informed them about forthcoming inspection to be carried out at the shipyard by security agencies and auditing department.

"Speaking of plans for the future, yes we have some. First, there is a project to transform your shipyard into state shipbuilding concern.

Second, ratification of Russo-Ukrainian agreement about Black Sea Fleet would bring huge scope of ship-repair works, at least those Russian ships built in Nikolayev. Third, having met with Russian consul-general Alexander Grachev, I officially invited Russian ambassador Mikhail Zurabov to visit Nikolayev in order to work out a plan of partnership including cooperation in shipbuilding industry.

However, our Russian partners are also doubtful whether your desolate shipyard is capable to build or at least repair warships. We'll get all the answers when the coming inspection is over. I'm going to let you know in a week.

If anything is stolen from the yard "in the night", a criminal case will be immediately initiated against person permitted such movements", said the governor.