Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers appointed Polish Sławomir Nowak as an acting head of Ukravtodor, Ukraine’s State Agency of Automobile Roads on Oct. 19.
Nowak is an ex-minister of transport, construction and maritime economy of Poland, having served in 2011-2013. He resigned after being photographed wearing a watch worth at least $3,500 that he hadn’t declared.
Nowak addressed the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Oct. 19, thanking for the opportunity to work in Ukraine.
“Road infrastructure, railroads, airports and ports make the blood circulatory system of every economy,” Nowak said. “I’m feeling like I’m a bit of an expert in this field and I believe that my experience and skills will help us build an elaborate infrastructure.”
Nowak is a seasoned Polish politician. He was a member of the Polish parliament, Sejm, in 2001-2007. He also served as the chief of electoral staff for Bronisław Komorowski’s presidential campaign in 2010, which resulted in Komorowski’s election.
Nowak is the second Polish citizen, hired to manage state companies in Ukraine lately. Infrastructure Ministry in April appointed ex-head of the Polish Railways Wojciech Balczun as the CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’state railway operator.
Nowak briefly presented his vision of reforming Ukravtodor to the Cabinet on Oct. 19.
He said he was going to establish a special fund for the road repairs, as well as improvement of cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and private capital.
Nowak also promised to conduct a technical audit of Ukraine’s roads, and to invite big international companies to take part in tenders along with the Ukrainian businesses.
“Do not expect a miracle,” he added. “I need your support. Without the support from the entire government I won’t get off the ground.”
Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister, praised Nowak in a post on his Facebook page shortly after the appointment.
“For decades Ukravtodor has been a source of corruption, a subject for complaints and, eventually, was mocked by people,” he wrote on Oct. 19. “New Nowak means new Ukravtodor.”
Kyiv Post staff writer Alyona Zhuk can be reached at [email protected]
