Interim Transport Minister Radu Miruță has uncovered evidence of unauthorized private operations at the National Railway Training and Qualification Center (CENAFER) in Bucharest. During an official inspection of the facility located in the Gara de Nord, authorities discovered a makeshift chocolate workshop and a residential apartment being used by the institution’s director, Anna Maria Dudas.
Unauthorized Facilities at CENAFER Headquarters
The inspection, led by Minister Miruță, revealed that a space within the state-run training center had been converted into a private kitchen and living quarters. According to the minister, the area contained bulk ingredients and specialized equipment for chocolate production. When confronted by members of the ministerial team, Director Anna Maria Dudas initially claimed the chocolate was intended as a donation for a church, asserting, “I don’t eat sweets at all.”
However, Minister Miruță disputed these claims, citing evidence that the director was actively marketing the products. The minister pointed to promotional activity on a personal account, which included a personal phone number for potential buyers. “Whoever stayed here seems to have built a small business with chocolate,” a member of the minister’s team stated during the site visit, describing the setup as a functional confectionery.
Did you know?
The CENAFER facility, situated in the Gara de Nord, is a state-funded institution responsible for the professional qualification and training of railway personnel in Romania.
Residential Use of Public Property
Beyond the production area, the inspection confirmed the presence of a private apartment within the CENAFER building. Director Dudas, who has served as head of the institution since October 2021 and previously held the position between September 2020 and March 2021, acknowledged living in the space. She stated, “I live here, yes, but I am not [from here], I am from Giurgiu.”
Dudas claimed she funded the interior improvements herself because she wanted the space to be “a bit more OK.” Minister Miruță challenged the notion that the space was used only intermittently, noting the condition of the apartment suggested permanent occupancy. The minister further alleged that other employees were also residing within the CENAFER premises. In response to the findings, Dudas maintained that she had “inherited” these irregular housing arrangements from previous administrations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current director of CENAFER?
Anna Maria Dudas has served as the director of the National Railway Training and Qualification Center since October 2021, following a previous term from 2020 to 2021.
What did the inspection at the Gara de Nord facility find?
The inspection uncovered a makeshift chocolate workshop with bulk ingredients and a private residential apartment occupied by the director.
What was the director’s explanation for the chocolate workshop?
Dudas claimed the chocolate was for donation to a church and that she did not consume sweets herself.
Are other employees living in the facility?
Minister Miruță indicated that evidence suggests other employees have also been living in the CENAFER building.
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