Omelyan: Ukrzaliznytsia Kidnapping Symptomatic of Rotten Culture

The Head of Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) [Eng: Ukrainian Railways] Power Supply Department Valeriy Liudmyrskyi was kidnapped because of his professional activities, Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said in an interview to Ekonomichna Pravda to be published soon.

"I believe it is related to his professional activities. This is a problem of all state-run companies. Ukrzaliznytsia is one of major state monopolies not only in terms of cash flow and workforce, but also in terms of corruption and inefficiency," he stated.

According to Omelyan this is more proof that UZ badly needs drastic reform. The company is not accountable to society, and it is high time to overcome it. "I am concerned with all the drunk road accidents, kidnappings, and mysterious death of a deputy of Liudmyrskyi one week ago. These accidents are not interrelated yet their sequence is alarming," he added.

"As the Minister, I am unhappy that UZ time and time again comes into media and public focus with shameful episodes rather than with its accomplishments," Omelyan stressed.

The Head of Ukrainian Railways Power Supply Department Valeriy Liudmyrskyi was kidnapped by unidentified individuals. The kidnappers attacked him at about 10 pm on July 18 when he was walking his dog.

Source: Ekonomichna Pravda