Reporter: I want to open this dialogue by telling us why you decided to run for the position of president of the Dolj County Council?
Nicusor Rosca: I am one of the inhabitants of this county who wants to contribute to the development of the community of which he is a part. I have accumulated experience, in the last 30 years, both in the private environment and in the public administration. As a graduate of the Faculty of Horticulture, with a master’s degree at SNSPA – public administration and a doctorate engineer in horticulture, I held the post of prefect of Dolj county during the most difficult period not only of Romania, but of all humanity. I was later appointed sub-prefect and I managed from these two positions held in the county administration to create a real image of the economic-social context in which we find ourselves. Therefore, together with the colleagues from PNL Dolj, I created an administrative project with which to come before the people of Dolj and which would ensure the development of the community. I believe that a county council president should develop and implement long-term development strategies for the county. It should identify the priority needs of the community and establish realistic objectives for improving the quality of life of the inhabitants. That’s why I want us to build together a community that we can be proud of and that offers us all a minimum of comfort.
Representative: What does a county council president need, in addition to a large budget, to make investments in the community, so that Dolju rises to the level of development of other regions of the country?
NO: An effective president should be responsible for the correct administration of the financial and material resources of the county. Effective allocation of the budget, monitoring of expenses and ensuring transparency in the use of public funds are essential aspects. It should collaborate with local authorities, with civil society representatives, with the business environment and with citizens to identify optimal solutions for the county’s problems. Open and transparent communication is crucial to maintaining trust and community engagement. An effective president should promote the local business environment, support entrepreneurship and innovation, attract investments and create employment opportunities for county residents. European funds could be a solution for stimulating the development of Dolj, but there is a lack of involvement from the county public administration. This leads to the underutilization of available resources and the loss of financing opportunities.
We need to change the approach of the local public administration through the active involvement of the community and the business environment, which can contribute to the identification of optimal solutions for the development of the county. The agriculture of Dolj county and the activity of farmers are seriously affected by the phenomenon of desertification, but also by the small areas of irrigated land. The solution is access to European funds, the sustained and continuous implementation of afforestation projects and the development of the irrigation system. The inefficient administration of local and county budgets affects the development of the region, hindering the process of economic and social development.
Representative: There is still talk about European funds, but we see that there are few localities that have accessed them.
NO: Precisely because the town halls in the county do not have specialists for drawing up projects with European funding, I want to establish regional centers for consulting in obtaining European funds at the level of Dolj county. They will be subordinated to CJ Dolj and will provide support and guidance for projects aimed at improving infrastructure, public services and the business environment. Through these centers, local communities will be motivated to develop their potential and improve their quality of life. These centers could be of great help to local authorities, mayors and the community as a whole. They will offer specialized consultancy services for the submission of funding applications, for the development of development projects. To ensure a sustainable development of the community, it is essential to invest in infrastructure. This includes building roads, schools, hospitals and other facilities necessary to ensure a decent living for the community’s residents. And if we don’t have enough budget, we can make these investments with European money.
Representative: The desertification of the areas in the south of the county and the lack of irrigation systems are two of the problems raised by the Dolje farmers. Are there solutions for these?
NO: Afforestation is an effective solution in the fight against desertification. Planting trees and creating forests contributes to restoring affected ecosystems, it can help reduce soil erosion and improve air quality. Obtaining the necessary European funds for afforestation and soil protection projects is essential, but we can fight alongside the private sector. The involvement of the private sector in investments is crucial for the success of these initiatives. As for irrigation systems, the implementation of modern irrigation equipment can help increase agricultural productivity.
Farmers can benefit from increasing crop yields and reducing dependence on rainfall. At the same time, the efficient use of water resources is vital for ensuring food security. Farmers have a crucial role in protecting the environment and combating desertification. Through sustainable and responsible agricultural practices, they can contribute to the conservation of soil and natural resources, just as education and training of farmers in modern farming techniques are essential for the success of projects to combat desertification. In addition to these, I would like to point out that a responsible county council president should pay special attention to protecting the environment, promoting sustainability and adopting policies that ensure a balance between economic development and the conservation of natural resources.
