The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure and Construction (MIC) is a central administration entity in charge of the nation’s most vital sectors: roads, railways, civil aviation, construction, housing and spatial planning. Deputy Minister Justyna Skrzydlo is a member of the management of the MIC.
European Times: What are the primary goals and objectives of the ministry?
Justyna Skrzydlo: We are a relatively new ministry created in 2015, but we have a long history behind us, which goes back almost 100 years. Now that we have been re-established as Ministry of Infrastructure and Construction, our primary objective is to effectively implement the massive infrastructural projects and give a new impetus both for the continuation of investments and implementation of a completely new projects. Our main focus is to ensure that they are correctly completed. The scope of our influence is not only restricted to road and railways, but we also offer postal services and special planning.
European Times: According to the Ministry of Treasury of Poland,from all indications, Poland may spend €114.7 billion on infrastructure alone by 2020. Looking at this huge investment capital, which projects is the ministry currently tackling? What is the focus of the ministry for the next two years?
Justyna Skrzydlo: We don’t consider that as a challenge but as a great chance which is ahead of us.Our priorities are two major infrastructural programs: the national road programme and the national rail programme. About €25 billion will be invested in the road construction, while the budget for the rail programme is around €15 billion.These projects, primarily located on the Trans-European Transport Network, are implemented in line with common European technical standards.Our objective is to accomplish the construction of the basic infrastructure system in Poland and complete the transport projects enabling smooth functioning of the transport sector. Projects such as Via Carpatia, Via Baltica and Rail Baltica will constitute a convenient link from Poland southwards and northwards at the same time bridging the infrastructure gaps and removing bottlenecks.I should emphasise that we are the leading country concerning the usage of European funds allocated to infrastructural projects, and they cannot be only calculated as numbers, but as investments in European economic and social cohesion.
European Times: You have mentioned housing policies. As a ministry responsible for the infrastructural development of the entire country, what will be your focus in the area of housing and public transportation?
Justyna Skrzydlo: In the coming years, we will do our best to provide a coherent, green and efficient public transportation system to the citizens. Increased usage of public transportation and lower emission rates will serve for the benefit of the public.Moreover, we are implementing the national housing programme constituting a set of complementary actions aimed at improving living conditions of Polish citizens.Concerning the road and rail programs, our ministry will continue to work diligently to create a favourable environment for all investors with whom we hope to partner with in future projects.
