Regional Governor: Why I granted a licence for Lefkimmi and the land in Temploni
waste management
01 Mar 2019
/ 07:17
CORFU. Message from Ionian Islands Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos regarding waste management in Corfu, the next steps and the Regional plans.
I took the decision to grant licences for the operation of the residue landfill in Mesorahia, Lefkimmi and for the use of the land next to Temploni landfill for temporary waste deposit and storage. In taking this decision I took into account the difficult conditions, the danger of Corfu yet again having a negative image internationally in 2019 and the economic consequences and, of course, the risk to public health.
The following contributed to the decision:
- The dozens of letters from Corfu organizations and bodies requesting a solution.
- The threat of Corfu Municipality having to pay back over 4m Euros.
- The main reason, however, was the frustration expressed daily by the public with the prospect of failing yet again to find a solution to the problem of solid waste management. A frustration that can be encapsulated in the phrase "Do something Governor!"
I chose to relieve my service personnel from any responsibility when coming to my decision as I could understand the difficult position they were in due to daily threats and the numerous injunctions they had received.
Citizens of Corfu,
The licences on their own are not enough to solve the current problem.
- The responsible bodies must do their very best - and more - to find solutions quickly and reliably.
- Residents' groups and associations need to assist in this effort with cooperation and consent.
- Acts of violence and destruction against public property must be dealt with swiftly and decisively by the justice system.
Everyone's goal needs to be:
To allow the necessary amount of time to carry out all the work required to establish an integrated waste management system.
To increase efforts in recycling and sorting at source, which are absolutely essential if we are to succeed.
To help get this message across the Ionian Islands Regional Administration is going to immediately start running a special information campaign in the mass media.
Fellow citizens,
The Regional Administration has done its duty and opened the way for a successful outcome. Let's all do our very best to ensure success. Our island of Corfu needs it!
The following contributed to the decision:
- The dozens of letters from Corfu organizations and bodies requesting a solution.
- The threat of Corfu Municipality having to pay back over 4m Euros.
- The main reason, however, was the frustration expressed daily by the public with the prospect of failing yet again to find a solution to the problem of solid waste management. A frustration that can be encapsulated in the phrase "Do something Governor!"
I chose to relieve my service personnel from any responsibility when coming to my decision as I could understand the difficult position they were in due to daily threats and the numerous injunctions they had received.
Citizens of Corfu,
The licences on their own are not enough to solve the current problem.
- The responsible bodies must do their very best - and more - to find solutions quickly and reliably.
- Residents' groups and associations need to assist in this effort with cooperation and consent.
- Acts of violence and destruction against public property must be dealt with swiftly and decisively by the justice system.
Everyone's goal needs to be:
To allow the necessary amount of time to carry out all the work required to establish an integrated waste management system.
To increase efforts in recycling and sorting at source, which are absolutely essential if we are to succeed.
To help get this message across the Ionian Islands Regional Administration is going to immediately start running a special information campaign in the mass media.
Fellow citizens,
The Regional Administration has done its duty and opened the way for a successful outcome. Let's all do our very best to ensure success. Our island of Corfu needs it!
