The construction of the nuclear power plant will give a strong impetus to the socio-economic development of the Ostrovets region, Adam Kovalko, chairman of the Ostrovets regional executive committee, told BelTA.

According to him, the sociological polls conducted in Ostrovets and in the countryside shows that the locals welcome the decision to construct the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets. They hope that new jobs will be created, wages will be increased and social security sectors will be developed.

Adam Kovalko is confident that the settlement of Ostrovets will be awarded the status of a town. The number of residents will double or triple from the current 26,500.

The nuclear power plant is a strategic object for the country and will become the budget-forming company of the region, Adam Kovalko said.