Let me entertain you with some new footage from “Volodya” (that’s our quadcopter drone), and at the same time give the promised answer to the residents of Novosibirsk—which, in fact, is relevant to all of Russia.
I opened a campaign office there on February 18, and there was an enormous number of questions about housing and utility services—in the city, it’s a hot-button issue. Rates were suddenly and inexplicably raised by 15% (and by 20% for cold water).
Several rallies have already taken place—and in the brutal Siberian cold, hundreds of people turned out.
On Saturday, March 19, at 12:00 noon, there will be another rally there in Lenin Square. A large crowd is expected.
So here’s the thing. People kept asking me: what exactly is in this Novosibirsk utility rate? Why are prices being hiked so aggressively? Why won’t they disclose how the rates are calculated?
Let me explain—and show you—what’s in that rate.
The regional housing and utilities monopolist is a company called “Sibeko,” and it is the one raising the rates. Read Milov on why the rate increase has no economic justification.
“Sibeko” belongs to the “Ru-Com” holding company.
And Ru-Com has one very well-known owner: Mikhail Abyzov, Russia’s minister in charge of the “Open Government” initiative.
No one really understands what “Open Government” is or what it’s for, but Mikhail is a real minister all the same. Salary, car, staff—the whole package.
And it so happens that he owns a splendid Italian estate. He doesn’t even hide it, for that matter. And absurd as it may sound, that estate sits within the same conglomerate of firms and companies as Novosibirsk’s energy sector.
In other words, utility payments from the people of Novosibirsk are on Minister Abyzov’s income side, while the Tesoro residence (“Treasure” in translation) is on the expense side.
Here are all the documents for anyone meticulous enough to want to verify it:
So, dear residents of Novosibirsk, with your utility rates you are helping pay for this splendid villa, along with the rest of the minister’s luxurious lifestyle under your very own government.
That is why tariffs have been rising and will continue to rise. After all, how else are they supposed to maintain these vineyards and olive groves? None of this is possible without your heating bills.
So please come out to the rally on March 19 at 12:00 in Lenin Square.
If enough people show up, the tariff increase will be canceled — they’ll have no choice. They know perfectly well that the rates do not actually need to be raised.
Or don’t come to the rally, and simply accept that you’ll be financing the wonderful Tesoro estate for the rest of your life.
If you live in Novosibirsk or the surrounding region, I would be extremely grateful if you helped spread this video across local platforms and communities. People should know what kind of beauty they are paying for.