Σάββατο 23.11.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Mayor΄s response to sabotage at Lefkimmi landfill: What are the police and the prosecutor doing?

Corfu Mayor
26 Φεβρουαρίου 2019 / 13:34

CORFU. Kostas Nikolouzos΄ statement about the latest incidents at Lefkimmi landfill:

The fire that broke out at midnight last night and burnt the new equipment at Lefkimmi landfill had been foretold: even a young child could have 'read' the train of incidents and predicted the outcome: a few days ago "known (?) unknown persons" cut through the perimeter fence at the landfill, sawed through electricity poles, threatened to black out the area and on Sunday they set up a blockade and burnt the landfill membranes. They went even further yesterday causing the usual violent incidents at the Regional Offices and then - following the granting of a licence to the landfill - destroyed the new equipment at the facility.

The warnings were loud and clear but it seems they weren't heeded by those who are responsible for protecting the public interest and members of the public. One has to ask - what have the police and the prosecutor done to deal with the continuous incidents of sabotage at the landfill and the provocative, unlawful behaviour displayed whenever possible by the 'protestors'? Which of the acts of sabotage have been successfully investigated and blame apportioned in this merry-go-round of illegal activity which has even put human lives at risk - for example the Deputy Mayor for South Corfu? Those that take part in the incidents don't hide - on the contrary, they make themselves very public. Who doesn't see them and why not? Who allows them to carry on with impunity?

The latest developments at Lefkimmi landfill can not simply be dealt with with statements and wishful thinking.

We had warned of the fascist behaviour of certain people who, in an unacceptable, provocative and undemocratic way, destroyed any kind of human dignity not only with their words but with their actions as well. They are people who ostensibly call for dialogue but at the same time demean and undermine it. We had also stated that this kind of behaviour is a social aberration and undermines democracy - and noone remains unscathed.

Unfortunately, this dispute has now become like a war. Let each of us decide which side we are on: with the orderly functioning of social institutions and legal procedures - which we may or may not agree with - or with the 'disorderly mass' which opposes the operation of the Lefkimmi landfill today and tomorrow who knows what? Because tomorrow the stakes may be different.

We should also ask ourselves what exactly are they supporting, which interests are being served and what is the aim of all those who abuse, threaten and destroy public property - continuously increasing the 'bill' that the people of Corfu have to pay.