The inauguration ceremony took place at the 44th extraordinary session of the Penza Oblast Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 in the Penza cinema concert hall.
In accordance with the Charter of the Penza Oblast, Oleg Melnichenko took the oath, noting that serving people is a great honour and responsibility.
"As the Penza Oblast Governor I swear to faithfully fulfill the high duties assigned to me, to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen and to comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and federal laws, as well as the Charter and laws of the Penza Oblast," the head of the region promised.
The new Governor was congratulated by Igor Komarov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the RF President in the Volga Federal District.
"You are a leader with vast experience in working in regional and federal authorities and you are a native of Penza, who loves his small homeland," Igor Komarov addressed Oleg Melnichenko. "We have noticed your high efficiency, professionalism and commitment to results rrom the first days of your governing the region."
"You and your team have a lot of work to do," the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Volga Federal District added. "In the coming years, we will have to solve the key tasks outlined by the head of state Vladimir Putin, including achieving the national development goals. First of all, it means to truly improve the quality of life and well-being of the Penza Oblast residents."
Among the honoured guests of the celebration were members of the Federation Council of the RF Federal Assembly, where Oleg Melnichenko represented the Penza Oblast from September 2017 to March 2021, heading the committee on federal structure, regional policy, local self-government and Northern affairs.
Konstantin Kosachyov congratulated the head of the Penza Oblast on behalf of Valentina Matviyenko, Chairman of the Federation Council, as well as of all RF senators.
"The upper house of the Russian parliament is often called the "chamber of regions," senator Kosachyov stated. "The Penza Oblast was definitely lucky to have such a governor, because your experience at the federal level, of course, will be useful for the region and all its residents."
Oleg Melnichenko stressed that he would have to justify the confidence of the citizens who voted for him.
"I have to justify this credit of trust with good deeds, work, almost seven days a week, so that in five years I can ask my fellow countrymen whether I have met their hopes or not, and I really hope that I will. I am very grateful to the President of the Russian Federation for supporting me, giving me an opportunity to pass this test and for supporting our region," the governor said.
"I think that with the trust that the people and the President have shown us, we will do our best to work for the region's residents". I am ready to work!" - Oleg Melnichenko summed up.
