Igor Grosu
Grosu pointed out that the cost of gas consists of two main components: the purchase price on international markets, which the Republic of Moldova cannot influence, and domestic expenses, which, in his opinion, can be reduced.
“We cannot influence exchange prices, but we can optimize operations within the country. On Thursday, a bill was introduced that, let’s say, will encourage Moldovagaz to rein in its appetites a bit. With all due respect—there are 12 companies, 12 directors, 12 accountants, and 5,000 employees in the system. All these administrative expenses are then included in the costs that the company cites as justification when requesting rate increases,” Igor Grosu stated on TVR Moldova.
The Speaker of Parliament also noted that the authorities are considering reorganizing the gas distribution system, including by reducing the number of companies, in order to lower the costs borne by consumers.
Grosu also addressed the issue of Moldovagaz management’s compensation, stating that salary levels should be reviewed given the difficult economic situation.
“Last week I said that the director of Moldovagaz earned 400,000 lei in a single month. He refuted me, claiming that this was not true. I double-checked the information—the figure is 377,999 lei for April. If times are tough for everyone right now, then everyone must make sacrifices. Just as salaries at Energocom were reduced to less than 100,000 lei, Moldovagaz must also show solidarity with the rest of the citizens,” said the Speaker of Parliament.
The statements were made against the backdrop of Energocom’s request to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) to raise the natural gas tariff from 14.42 lei to 20.30 lei per cubic meter. Grosu emphasized that the government will continue to provide compensation during the cold season, but noted that reducing administrative expenses is one way to ease pressure on rates.
Earlier, Vadim Ceban, acting chairman of the board of Moldovagaz S.A., stated that his salary, approved by a resolution of the company’s shareholders, amounts to approximately 150,000 lei.
“This salary reflects the level of responsibility for managing Moldova’s most extensive and complex energy infrastructure, through which natural gas—one of the most dangerous products—is transported and distributed, as well as for ensuring natural gas supplies to the Transnistria region, a role that the state has delegated exclusively to Moldovagaz,” Ceban stated.
