The head of Yabloko discussed environmental issues with local residents and party candidates for September elections

Press Release, 20.08.2020

On Thursday, August 20, Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov paid a visit to the city of Neftekamsk, the Republic of Bashkortostan.

The visit to the city began with an excursion to Lake Svetloye. Activists defended the lake from draining and building residential buildings in its place for seven years: from 2012 to 2019. The lake was defended, and now the only park in the city is located on its territory. During the excursion, Nikolai Rybakov talked with local residents, who told how they defended the lake. They also shared the problems were facing: in particular, their houses had been renovated only from the outside, for the sake of a beautiful facade, but the houses remained in a dilapidated state from the inside.

During the day, the head of Yabloko also visited the Nikolsky temple and the merchant’s village in the village of Nikolo-Berezovka. Then the Chairman of the party, together with Ilnur Salakhov, head of the Neftekamsk branch of Yabloko, visited the only cattery in the city, which functions at the expense of private donations. Nikolay Rybakov met the founder of the cattery and brought food for its inhabitants.

Then the head of Yabloko went on an excursion to the architectural monument the Estate of the Vechtomov Merchants. Rybakov expressed regret that the monument had not been maintained in proper condition by the local authorities.

Nikolai Rybakov also met with residents of one of the city districts. They shared with Yabloko Chairman the difficulties they have to face in the field of housing and utilities, especially as regards payment for water and electricity consumption.

At the end of the day, the head of Yabloko talked with Yabloko candidates for deputies for elections to the City Council and activists of the Stop Kambarka environmental movement who oppose the construction of a hazardous waste disposal plant in the city of Kambarka. Nikolai Rybakov promised to assist in solving this problem and prepare an appeal to RosRAO, the largest Russian enterprise dealing with radioactive waste management.

During his visit Nikolai Rybakov also gave interviews to the Ekho Moskvy radio station in Ufa and the UFA1.RU news portal.

On the verge of the single voting day of September 13, Nikolai Rybakov visits the regions where Yabloko participates in the elections. On August 21, the head of Yabloko will pay a visit to Rzhev.