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The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine today, January 12, appointed the citizen of Latvia, an expert in the field of port services Raivis Veckagans acting head of the State Enterprise Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) and presented him to the staff, according to the ministry’s press service.
Veckagans will enjoy full freedom of action in reforming the company and fighting against corruption schemes, the press service wrote with the reference to Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan.
"I insist that USPA must be reformed and transformed into a transparent and efficient company that works for the state and defends the state, rather than individual, interests. In this regard, Raivis Veckagans has complete freedom of action," the press service quoted Omelyan as saying.
The report notes that the relevant decision to appoint the new acting head marks the start of a comprehensive reform of the maritime industry, a key aspect of which is the reorganization of USPA.
Read alsoLatvian specialist to be tapped to manage Ukrainian ports"Despite the repeated attempt of the Government and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine to normalize the work of SE USPA, this state enterprise has remained to be a model of inefficiency, corruption and abuse. There are also many questions concerning the management of USPA. In addition, no such resistance there has been anywhere, as from USPA management, against any proposals of the Ministry to organize the work of USPA. All our resolutions are being blocked or ignored. Therefore, we must change USPA management, which will be our first step in the comprehensive maritime industry reform," Volodymyr Omelyan said earlier, on January 10.
State Enterprise «Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority» is a state unitary enterprise and acting as a government commercial enterprise, which was established in accordance with the Law "On Sea Ports of Ukraine”
SE USPA is a unitary enterprise based on the right of economic authority, consisting of a Head Office (Kyiv), the Main Representative Office (Odesa), 13 branches in ports across Ukraine, Delta-Pilot Branch, and has more than 8,000 employees.
Read alsoUkraine ports to set record for grain handlingRaivis Veckagans is a citizen of Latvia, with over a 16-year successful experience in management of companies in transportation and logistics sectors, shipping and financial services. He held the positions of a member of the Management Board, Vice-President of JSC Latvian Shipping Company, a member of the Board of Rigas Centralais Terminals, the largest bulk and general cargo processing port terminal in the Baltic States, Chairman of the Board at Riga Container Terminal Ltd.