Rearrangements in two core cities of Kazakhstan

Imangali Tasmagambetov, the head of Almaty city administration moves to Astana. "I would like to announce that according to the decision of maslikhat I appointed Imangali Tasmagambetov to the post of the head of Astana city administration. He is well-acquainted with this city, headed Atyrau oblast and Almaty city and demonstrated initiativeness in his work," said Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Such news was unexpected one for Almaty dwellers, although Imangali Tasmagamvetov stayed at his post for quite a long period of time. He paid big attention at the problem of traffic in the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. Under his ruling there was started construction of a number of city road junctions in the city; several of them are still not completed. "I say goodbye to the post of the head of Almaty city administration, but I do not say goodbye to Almaty. During three years term of my work we had to implement different tasks set by the president of Kazakhstan and the government of the country. It is possible to say that many things were done, but many things should be done in the future, to implement those programs and projects, which should bring Almaty and Kazakhstan to the level meant by the head of the state," said Imangali Tasmagambetov.

In fact, the staff rearrangement was announced after the day of Olympic relay-race held in Almaty city. Some political scientists state that Imangali Tasmagambetov is usually appointed to the posts where qualified management is needed. This time, he is supposed to organize 10 years anniversary celebration of Astana city. The president added that this person is able to hold huge amount of work on the eve before 10 years anniversary of Kazakhstani capital. At the same time he did not hide the fact, that the city still needs a lot of contributions into infrastructure development. "Astana is growing and amazes our guests. But internal image of the city is developed slowly," said Nursultan Nazarbayev. He pointed that by the year of 2011, in the time when Kazakhstan will celebrate its 20 years independence, the construction of all city infrastructures should be complete in Astana. "We should show all the world our city and opportunities of Kazakhstan," said Nursultan Nazarbayev. He added that new head of city administration is supposed to resolve this question. "I hope that Imangali Tasmagambetov, who never broke my orders, will resolve set tasks and demonstrate to Astana inhabitants the best images of city construction, order discipline and culture in this city," said Nursultan Nazarbayev.

A number of messages and opinions of Almaty inhabitants appeared in Internet forum the same day. People are concerned about the future of Almaty city and if initiated projects will be completed by a new head of Almaty city administration. Besides flyovers construction, Imangali Tasmagambetov initiated underground entertainment center construction at the central square of the city. That time he stated that Kazakhstan should follow the experience of Moscow, Paris and Kiev, the cities where huge centers are located underground. Besides that he pointed that new center will give new working places for people, attract new investments and present more services for people. Several months ago the central square of Almaty caused big concern as a long fissure appeared at the road. People are concerned if a new head of the city will continue recently initiated projects.

As known, Imangali Tasmagambetov headed Atyrau oblast and worked as deputy prime-minister. Later, in 2002 he was appointed to the post of prime-minister of Kazakhstan. In 2004 he headed presidential administration and at the end of the same year he was appointed to the post of the head of Almaty city administration.

Almaty city stayed without a head not for a long period of time and the same day Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Akhmetzhan Essimov to the post of the head of Almaty city administration. Akhmetzhan Essimov moved to a new post after heading the ministry of agriculture. Apparently, the new head of southern capital will pay attention at planting of greenery in the city, which significantly decreased because of active construction and fell of trees over the last few years.

Akhmetzhan Essimov in different years took posts of deputy prime-minister, state secretary and the head of presidential administration. He worked as ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium, Holland, and Luxemburg. He was appointed to the post of the minister of agriculture several times.

In fact, former head of Astana city administration was not left without job, the president appointed Askar Mamin to the post of the president of "Kazakhstan Temyr Zholy" national company.