“Currently, the practice of the Material Reserves Agency is as follows: if any property is transferred, it is effectively considered permanently transferred. It is removed from the reserves, and the government then has to conduct a new government procurement to replenish the stockpiles. I understand that there is some resistance to the idea of returning such property because questions arise: ‘It’s already been used—what if it turns out to be defective next time? We don’t want to take on that kind of responsibility.’ “I asked how this works in Romania. There, such property can be returned to the Material Reserves Agency, and there’s no need to purchase new items every time to replenish the stockpiles,” Tofan said.
According to him, officials today prefer to make a new purchase to avoid taking on potential risks.
“I understand this position. But let’s change the regulations so that equipment can be returned, rather than holding new tenders and making new purchases every time. We don’t have extra funds for such expenses,” he added.
Tofan also noted that if administrative decisions are needed to change existing procedures, then they must be made.
Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin, in turn, stated that current legislation already allows for the return of such property.
“Nevertheless, we will indeed review certain procedures to ensure greater flexibility in the transfer of specific property, including for a limited period,” the minister said.
The discussion took place during the review of a draft government resolution on the allocation of material assets from state and mobilization reserves totaling nearly 5.9 million lei. These resources are intended to support emergency rescue operations conducted by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in the districts of Călărași and Ungheni, which have been affected by heavy rains.
