President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan to be among developed countries in few years

2011.09.06 17:03

President Ilham Aliyev has reviewed progress of major overhaul and reconstruction of local roads in the Binagadi settlement of Baku.
In accordance with the tasks set forth at a meeting on the socioeconomic development of Baku and its suburban settlements, consistent measures are being taken in all the settlements of the capital. This work is well underway in the Binagadi settlement.
On the basis of a scheme, President Aliyev was informed of the roads in the Binagadi settlement that have already undergone major overhaul. In particular, new asphalt coating has already been laid on 16 km, on a total of 80,000 square meters of roads. Measures are underway to improve local roads.
The lighting system has been fully reconstructed in the Binagadi settlement as well, while more than 100 lampposts manufactured abroad have been installed on local streets.
After reviewing the work done, the head of state met and had a discussion with local residents.
The local residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the landscaping and creative work under way in the Binagadi settlement.
Welcoming residents of the Binagadi settlement, President Aliyev said he visited this settlement for the opening of a new road several years ago.
"The time has come to improve intra-settlement roads. I have been informed that 16 kilometers of new intra-settlement roads were laid within two months. This is shown on the photographs. Of course, you - the residents know that these were dirt roads. Now, they are asphalt roads. A rapid development is observed in the Binagadi settlement, like in other settlements. The program on development of Baku’s suburbs is being realized. This is a very good program and it is of specific nature. Not only the roads, but the whole infrastructure should be updated. Issues of ensuring power and gas supply are gradually addressed. I have been told that this settlement does not have serious problems. I am confident that all these issues will be resolved in due time," he stated.
President Aliyev underscored that the program on the development of Baku’s settlements covers 2.5 years. "That is, we have set a very big and dependable task for ourselves to solve the social and infrastructural issues in all settlements of Baku for 2.5 years. The initial steps undertaken as part of implementing the program suggest that we conduct our work rapidly. Before coming here, I asked about the reconstruction of a big school. I have just instructed to determine the location for the construction of a new school. Today, the reconstruction of schools is being rapidly carried out in Baku and its suburbs. Over 50 schools will be reconstructed and opened by late 2011," Aliyev said.
"All these developments suggest that all issues that we identified and all programs are being resolved. These programs are mainly aimed at improving the Azerbaijani population’s life and solving all social and infrastructural matters of people’s concerns. The living conditions should be the same in the center, and in the city suburbs and settlements. Our task is to address issues related to water supply, sewerage, roads, and implementation of infrastructure projects in the regions, Baku and its settlements," Aliyev said.
He said the program has already been accepted and approved.
"The program reflects everything and it was published in the press. Every citizen can know what will be done in his/her village, settlement. But adopting this program, we certainly sought to receive suggestions from the places, and we received them. But life is going on. For example, the construction of a new school in the Binagadi settlement was not reflected in it. Today, I gave instructions to study the issue after I was informed about this. A new school should be built here. That is, we must approach the issue from a realistic point of view. The program is subject to additions and it must be done," President Aliyev said.
Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan will be among the developed countries in few years.
"However, professionals are required to make this development sustainable and durable. Patriotic younger generation, who are attached to the motherland and the nation, is formed in Azerbaijan. But at the same time, they must be literate and educated. The experience of developed countries shows that progress is recorded where attention is paid to knowledge, education and science. The most developed countries in the world are the countries with a high level of education. Sometimes, countries rich in oil and gas face difficult situation, differentiation and the poor. But, countries that had success in education record a development and it will even more manifest itself in the future. A scientific advance is not just words. It really means a progress. The work ongoing in the ICT field today will determine the future of countries. Country, whose citizens are educated and knowledgeable in this area, will occupy a stronger position in the world. Natural resources will sooner or later dry up. Their existence is our advantage and we effectively use these opportunities. But at the same time we are investing this capital as an investment in "human capital ". This, of course, falls on the teachers, perhaps the biggest burden. Taking the advantage, I want to welcome Azerbaijan’s all teachers and wish them health and success in the eve of the new school year," President Ilham Aliyev said.

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