Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu. Photo: Government of Romania
“State companies are not sponsors, they do not do sponsorships”, said Oana Gheorghiu, on Monday, in her first press conference as deputy prime minister, when asked how many state companies were sponsors of the NGO she founded, Dăruieste Viața. In reality, state-owned companies can do sponsorships, just like any other commercial company. At least one of them, Transelectrica, even sponsored the “We make a hospital” project of the “Give Life” association.
The information appears in the company's annual report on the sponsorship situation in 2021. The amount is not mentioned, only the project.
Asked about a milestone, Oana Gheorghiu answered about another milestone
It is not the only confusion made by Oana Gheorghiu in Monday's press conference. When asked about Milestone 121 of the PNRR regarding the appointment of managers at state energy companies, she said that it has a deadline of March 31, 2026.
In reality, the deadline expires on November 28, which is a few days from now. Until then, new managers must be appointed at several energy companies, following transparent and fair procedures.
Also, Oana Gheorghiu said that the milestone refers to 48 companies, not only from energy, in reality there are only 13 energy companies.
“I explained to you, there are 48 in total, not only from energy, and they are in this process that I proposed to the Commission until March 31”, answered Oana Gheorghiu to the journalists' insistence, when asked about the milestone that expires on November 28.
Basically, Oana Gheorghiu talked about another milestone, regarding the elimination of interim management at all state companies.
In Monday's press conference, Oana Gheorghiu announced that the reform of state companies, which she is in charge of as deputy prime minister, will start with 10 state companies, but without naming them. “What I know is that we will have four companies from the Energy level and six from Transport. Today we did not discuss any company names”, said Oana Gheorghiu.
Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu coordinates the drafting process and approves the projects regarding the reform of the state and the efficiency of the activity of public institutions.
