MPs Dimitris Biangis and Evaggelia Liakouli΄s statement regarding lack of lifeguards
lifeguards
19 Apr 2022
/ 18:24
CORFU. A solution must be found immediately for the lack of lifeguards in 143 Municipalities.
The Secretary of the parliamentary group of PASOK - KINAL, Head of the Interior and Larissa MP Evaggelia Liakouli, along with the Corfu MP Dimitris Biangis made the following statement on the occasion of the problems arising from the lack of lifeguards on beaches throughout the country:
“Just before the start of this year's tourist season, beaches in 143 Municipalities across the country have been left without lifeguards due to government negligence.
With a parliamentary intervention a month ago (as last year), we held the government accountable by submitting a relevant question to the responsible Ministers of Interior and Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy. Mr. Voridis did not care to answer and Mr. Plakiotakis replied with ambiguities.
Today, the problems we have highlighted remain unresolved. The government has learned nothing from last summer's delays and mistakes.
The risk of repeating the same mistakes is becoming ever greater, with unintended consequences for the lives and integrity of millions of bathers, as well as for the economic survival of Municipalities, especially in the suffocating financial situation we are currently experiencing.
There is an immediate need for the extra costs that were charged to the Municipalities for the lifeguards in beaches to be covered - now, not with last year's delay.
The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) estimates the cost for 143 coastal Municipalities to be at €21 million.
We call on the government to act as soon as possible, as the deadline for the Municipalities to take the necessary actions is already very tight.
The safety of our fellow citizens, but also of the tourists who will visit our country, must be ensured. It is unthinkable that the government does not take responsibility, burdening again the local government with its own choices.”
“Just before the start of this year's tourist season, beaches in 143 Municipalities across the country have been left without lifeguards due to government negligence.
With a parliamentary intervention a month ago (as last year), we held the government accountable by submitting a relevant question to the responsible Ministers of Interior and Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy. Mr. Voridis did not care to answer and Mr. Plakiotakis replied with ambiguities.
Today, the problems we have highlighted remain unresolved. The government has learned nothing from last summer's delays and mistakes.
The risk of repeating the same mistakes is becoming ever greater, with unintended consequences for the lives and integrity of millions of bathers, as well as for the economic survival of Municipalities, especially in the suffocating financial situation we are currently experiencing.
There is an immediate need for the extra costs that were charged to the Municipalities for the lifeguards in beaches to be covered - now, not with last year's delay.
The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) estimates the cost for 143 coastal Municipalities to be at €21 million.
We call on the government to act as soon as possible, as the deadline for the Municipalities to take the necessary actions is already very tight.
The safety of our fellow citizens, but also of the tourists who will visit our country, must be ensured. It is unthinkable that the government does not take responsibility, burdening again the local government with its own choices.”
