Akhmeta District Thinks He Is Giant

Akhmeta district governor Koba Maisuradze suggests journalists of Kakheti News Centre not to arrive in his district for their professional activities without his permission. “Why do you come without my permission? Should not you first ask permission from me before entering the district administration and request information from officials? You will inform me beforehand about your visit in Akhmeta or I will not be responsible for the problems you might face here,” said Akhmeta district governor in the phone conversation with the correspondent of Kakheti News Centre.

Besides that, chancellery of the Akhmeta district administration did not accept the request of the journalist from Kakheti News Centre on public information. Head of the department Iveri Tsitelauri told the journalist he could not accept the letter because the district governor refused to resolute the application.

This is not first fact when the district governor requests independent journalists to inform him about their activities in the district.

“I had to meet residents of the village of Akhalsopeli in Kvareli district. Locals informed me that they had appealed to the local government for single financial aid several times but in vain. I got in touch with Kvareli district governor Levan Gamsakhurdia and explained the situation to him; I requested him to meet us to make comments on this issue. My words irritated him. He rebuked me for having arranged meeting with locals without his permission. He claimed I had provoked people and made them angry with the governor. I tried to explain to the governor that I am not responsible to inform him about my meetings. Consequently, the governor refused to meet me and redirected me to his deputy” said journalist of the radio “Hereti” Khatuna Gogashvili.

According to the Kakheti deputy regional governor Giorgi Sibashvili, he will welcome the initiative of the district governor to meet the journalist before requesting public information. “As for the demands of the district governor you have mentioned, I cannot say that you are lying; but I should check it. Administration of the regional governor cannot interfere in the activities of the district administrations,” stated Sibashvili.

Kakheti News Centre