Latvia, Legislation, Port, Transport

The Economy Ministry, Transport Ministry and the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry previously said that several board members would be replaced at Ventspils, Liepaja and Riga ports.

The Economy Ministry has decided to replace the current representative at the Liepaja Port, Andris Liepins, with the ministry's state secretary Martins Lazdovskis, representative at the Riga Port, Girts Greiskalns – with Artis Stuckis, and representative at the Ventspils Port, Sandra Sondora-Kukule – with Gatis Abele.

The Transport Ministry switched Dzineta Innusa of the Riga Freeport board and Kaspars Ozolins of the Ventspils Port board.

Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Kaspars Gerhards (VL-TB/LNNK) has decided to replace Rolands Arturs Bebris of the Riga Freeport board with former Justice Minister, current Riga City Council deputy Baiba Broka (VL-TB/LNNK).

Representative of the State Audit Office, Aivars Erglis urged the Cabinet ministers to elect non-political figures to the port boards.

"We do not know how these people will be able to implement changes in port operations. How competent are they? Have we forgotten the work of the previous two governments? Are these decisions not too reckless?" Erglis said in a rhetorical manner.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anrijs Matiss said that appointment of the new board members took place according to the law.