Public Health administrators and Prosecutor visit Lefkimmi landfill
Lefkimmi
09 Nov 2018
/ 07:18
CORFU. The Secreatry of Lefkimmi Cultural Society Yiannis Pandis accompanied them.
A team from the Ionian Islands Regional Public Health Department along with an official from the Prosecutor's office inspected the Lefkimmi landfill on Wednesday to ascertain what is happening with the waste bales that have come from Temploni landfill. They were accompanied by the Secretary of Lefkimmi Cultural Society Yiannis Pandis.
The first visit from environmental inspectors took place in August and serious problems in the management of the bales were found along with violations of environmental regulations and safety measures. The report led to a fine of 8,000 Euros and a demand to comply with the regualtions.
Nikos Kalogeros, town councillor and member of the majority opposition party and member of the Cleansing Association, had visited the landfill the previous day accompanied by officials. Following the visit, he made the following statement:
"Today, 6 November, I carried a third inspection of the Lefkimmi landfill accompanied by the Technical Director Mr. Koronakis fulfilling the committment of our party - Kerkyraion Dimos - to closely monitoring every stage of the waste management problem.
I received an update on the progress of the contract work and then carried out an inspection of the facilities. Following is a summary of my findings:
1. There were piles of earth in the area behind the residue tanks. There were several spots where rubble was also present. When I questioned the Director about the rubble, I was told that it will be removed once all the work has been completed.
2. Several of the open bales have been removed and the remainder have been deposited at the cell.
3. Residue material has been deposited at the centre of the two 'cells'. At one of these water had collected. When questioned about this, the Director said that the drainage valves were turned off as the repair work was still in progress.
4. A large part of the engineering equipment has been replaced and the damage to the buildings has been repaired.
Finally,
a. I brought up the issue that our party is continuously bringing up - visits to be arranged to the facility for representatives of Lefkimmi residents and organizations so that they can monitor progress in a transparent way along with open and honest consultation.
b. The facility should be continuously supervised.
c. I asked that all the waste that has leaked from the bales should be collected and re-processed."
The first visit from environmental inspectors took place in August and serious problems in the management of the bales were found along with violations of environmental regulations and safety measures. The report led to a fine of 8,000 Euros and a demand to comply with the regualtions.
Nikos Kalogeros, town councillor and member of the majority opposition party and member of the Cleansing Association, had visited the landfill the previous day accompanied by officials. Following the visit, he made the following statement:
"Today, 6 November, I carried a third inspection of the Lefkimmi landfill accompanied by the Technical Director Mr. Koronakis fulfilling the committment of our party - Kerkyraion Dimos - to closely monitoring every stage of the waste management problem.
I received an update on the progress of the contract work and then carried out an inspection of the facilities. Following is a summary of my findings:
1. There were piles of earth in the area behind the residue tanks. There were several spots where rubble was also present. When I questioned the Director about the rubble, I was told that it will be removed once all the work has been completed.
2. Several of the open bales have been removed and the remainder have been deposited at the cell.
3. Residue material has been deposited at the centre of the two 'cells'. At one of these water had collected. When questioned about this, the Director said that the drainage valves were turned off as the repair work was still in progress.
4. A large part of the engineering equipment has been replaced and the damage to the buildings has been repaired.
Finally,
a. I brought up the issue that our party is continuously bringing up - visits to be arranged to the facility for representatives of Lefkimmi residents and organizations so that they can monitor progress in a transparent way along with open and honest consultation.
b. The facility should be continuously supervised.
c. I asked that all the waste that has leaked from the bales should be collected and re-processed."
