OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2010. Surgutneftegas continues to honour its commitments to social and economic development of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Municipality Unit "Lensky District" under treaties signed in December 2004, reported the press-centre of Surgutneftegas.

The Company invests heavily in construction sector of the Republic – we contributed RUB 180 mn to construction of Yakutsk State Agricultural Academy in the city of Yakutsk, which commissioned the second phase of academic and research building in 2008.

In 2009, a new 700-seat comprehensive school opened in the village of Vitim, Lensky District, and a 240-seat kindergarten is scheduled to open in 2011, both projects financed by Surgutneftegas in the amount of RUB 206 mn and a projected RUB 77.5 mn, respectively.

Besides, the Company donated almost RUB 26 mn to the construction of a footbridge across Lake Taloye, and infrastructure development of the area adjacent to it in the city of Yakutsk. This year, Surgutneftegas used its own funds to launch the construction of a 36-apartment house for public sector workers and vulnerable groups of Vitim.

Performing road pavement works in Vitim, the Company plans to cover with asphalt over 74,000 sq. meters by 2011.

In 2013-2015, following our field development and construction program for Lensky District, we plan to construct roads leading to local settlements in the vicinity of Vitim – Talakanskoye field route.

Being a committed patron, in 2008-2010, Surgutneftegas granted over RUB 4.5 mn to the Boards of Trustees Association of Yakutia educational institutions and the Republic National Healthcare Center.

The Company sponsored the International games "Children of Asia" held in Yakutsk, as well as the Russian freestyle wrestling and box championships. Surgutneftegas gives its continued support and assistance to local educational and healthcare institutions, and disadvantaged population, including low-income families, veterans of the Great Patriotic War and home front participants.

To sustain local employment, in 2005-2010, Surgutnetegas units recruited 2,245 people, including 96 graduates of higher and secondary education institutions, and awarded grants to 76 school graduates of the Republic for industry-related education in leading Russian universities.