Government appoints nine new regional Governors

The nine new regional Governors of Georgian have been appointed by the government. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili named the new Governors on December 13.

PM Irakli Garibashvili also appointed a government official in charge of liaising with local authorities in the provinces.

The regional Governor are: Kvemo Kartli Giorgi Mgebrishvili, Racha-Lechkhumi Kvemo Svaneti Parmen Margvelidze, Samtskhe Javakheti Akaki Machutadze, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Levan Shonia, Imerti Zaza Mefarishvili, Kakheti Irakli Shiolashvili, Mtskheta Mtianeti Nugzar Kipiani, Shida kartli Zurab Rusishvili.

While naming the Governors, Garibashvili described each person with a few words and called them to work 24 hours a day.

"You represent the Government and the Prime Minister in each region. Accordingly, you bear great responsibility regarding either infrastructural or any other projects started in the regions, to be implemented successfully, effectively and timely to avoid delays. You should be familiarized with the existent problems on the spot. Most importantly, the problems of the population." Garibashvili said and appealed to the new governors to work hard.

 "We, the today's government are population and people-oriented government. Our starting point should be a person.Consequently, my appeal is to work in 24-hour regime for welfare of our citizens" Garibashvili said.

According to the Prime Minister, Nugzar Kipiani, the film director by profession who was appointed the Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, is dedicated to the high authority among the people.

Levan Shonia, who served as Head of Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Regional Main Division when Garibashvili was the Interior Minister, has been appointed as Governor of the Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti region.

"Shonia is a professional and was one of the frontrunners in the main division head when I was the Interior Minister. He was fighting for Georgia's territorial integrity and he is well aware of the regions problems, Garibashvili said.

The 30-year-old business lawyer Irakli Shiolashvili was appointed as the governor of Kakheti region. Since 2012, after the parliamentarian elections, Shiolashvili has served as the majoritarian of Dedoplistskaro.

Prior becoming the Governor of Imereti Zaza, Meparishvili was a Head of the Security Agency in Imereti region.

Giorgi Mghebrishvili was appointed as the governor for the Kvemo Kartli region. He is a lawyer. As PM Garibashvili said, "Mghebrishvili had been working at different posts in the justice system and has a good reputation everywhere.

Governor for the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region will be Parmen (Papuna) Margvelidze. While introducing him, PM Garibahsvili said that Margvelidze is an economist. He has a rich professional experience and skills for managing. Besides, he comes from Racha, and he knows the problems of this region very well.

Akaki Matchutadze was introduced as the Samtskhe-Javakheti governor. As Garibashvili said, he is a specialist of international economy, has an experience of working for different financial organizations, and is a patriot, at the same time.

PM Irakli Garibashvili appointed Akaki Chkhenkeli as new head of department at governments administration in charge of relations with regions and local self-government bodies, replacing Irakli Melashvili.

After the new constitution went into force in November, provincial governors are appointed by the government and Prime Minister instead of the President.