Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said Wednesday that the fourth stage of development of the Galkynysh gas field will begin in the coming days. He made the remarks during a ceremony marking the foundation of a new settlement designed for 4,500 households in the Ymambaba gengeshlik of Yoloten district in Mary province, according to official Turkmen media.

The president said Turkmenistan will continue implementing programs aimed at the comprehensive development of the country’s regions, construction of modern facilities and creation of new industries. The main goal, he said, is to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the population, every family and each citizen.

According to the report, the new settlement, to be built by the Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan, will cover more than 800 hectares. It will include 4,500 residential houses designed for more than 22,500 people, with comfortable living conditions. Administrative buildings of the rural council, secondary schools, kindergartens, health centers, a cultural center and a mosque will also be constructed.

The ceremony was attended by the speaker of the Mejlis, deputy chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of ministries and sectoral agencies, the khyakim of Mary province, and local residents.

Following the speeches, the president, at the request of children, signed a commemorative message marking the foundation of the new settlement. He then placed a capsule containing the message into the foundation amid applause. Berdimuhamedov laid the first concrete in the foundation and, following national tradition, gave his blessing to the initiative.

A ceremonial sadaqa was also held the same day to mark the occasion.