As the Municipality of Central Corfu changes hands, the Deputy Mayor of Technical Services, Nikos Kalogeros, speaks to Enimerosi extensively, talking about what he found when he came to office, what he accomplished, and what he is handing over to the new municipal authority of Stefanos Poulimenos:
- Facing consecutive crises (municipal division, lockdown, energy crisis), technical services operated on four axes: road infrastructure, school buildings, European and state funding. Regarding road infrastructure, we were fortunate as the previous municipal authority under Nikolouzou had secured credits of 12 million for the unified municipality. The process between the credit and the contractor is time-consuming. At least 18 whole months intervene if everything goes smoothly. For the first time, the public saw comprehensivework being done on main roads, affecting all municipal districts, that significantly changed the 'bombarded' landscape.
- Was the phenomenon of 'fixing and digging up again' on the roads from by public entities addressed?
It is a cancer. We succeeded with DEI and OTE - less so with DEYAK - in making these organisations comply. We achieved it, not to a very large extent; we cannot defeat it across the entire 250km network.
School Buildings
A significant credit had already been secured by the previous municipal authority through ESPA for the energy upgrade of the three General High Schools, the 6th and 7th Primary Schools, which have now been transformed. For the Vocational High School in Mantouki, we secured one million Euros from the Ministry of Interior, and at this moment, we are completing the study. We also secured funding of 700,000 Euros from the Ministry of Education for the 2nd Vocational High School, while the 4th High School was also completed and delivered. We received it at 55% completion of the project, and we also completed the school centre in Vraganiotika. Finally, at Nafsithos, which we delivered with operational regulations, for the first time, there is security and maintenance.
But there are still schools using prefabs...
It was a government directive for mandatory two-year school education. We conducted a competition to find properties, but unfortunately, Corfu doesn't have buildings that meet the requirements, or they are not available. More than 15 competitions were held, but few were successful.
Kontokali and Gastouri School Centres
Kontokali school centre has been requested for thirty-years. For us, however, it was a flagship project. The technical services managed to complete a full dossier for submission to the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme. We secured the plot behind Diellas in Gouvia, and we received funding of 5.3 million Euros. Only the local cadastral process is pending for the project to finally be auctioned.
With regard to Gastouri school centre, the submission to ESPA was made by the previous municipal authority in 2018. However, there was a complication. A part of the land belonged to the hospital. We purchased it, and for the update of the study, we sought assistance from the Regional Authority.
Children's playgrounds
In three years, we managed to complete 14 modern certified safe playgrounds. For sports facilities, we aimed at constructing the Gymnastics Association indoor gymnasium, the "balloon" in Agia Ekaterini, and Nafsithos. Today, I am signing off on the construction of a new 5X5 field in the area of Afra, which, at the request of the residents and ourselves, will be named "Nikos Miliotis" in honour of the late deputy prefect.
Municipal sports grounds, however, remain a "black hole."
Yes, we didn't respond in a timely way; the capabilities of SYKOIPA were limited, and there were mistakes from the Regional Authority, as with the Kontokali ground.
'Antonis Tritsis' Programme
With the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme, Central Corfu Municipality had a budget of 22 million. We didn't miss a singleprogramme invitation: 5 million for the Kontokali school centre, 5 million for the indoor training centre, two Biological Treatment Plants under construction (Kynopiaston and Agios Markos), 6 and 5 million respectively, 1.8 million for rural road construction, 400,000 Euros for the schoolyards, and of course, the biggest bet I had made since the beginning of my term is the master plan for the entire Vidos island for 17 approved studies.
Vidos Island
We repaired the toilets, obtained a fire safety certificate, and secured the operating licence for the camps. The issue of personnel is a permanent problem that needs to be resolved with incentives.
So, are the camps ready for the summer?
Next year, it would be a crime for them not to operate.
Do you accept criticism for the financial bleeding of the Municipality due to the transfer of waste and cuts in other expenses in order to cope?
Waste had to be tackled. The Mayor managed with her persistence to get approval the transfer from the central authority. Yes, it costs. Yes, expenses are cut. On the other hand, this municipal authority brought in 37 new vehicles, organised the cleanling services, and brought in 10,000 bins. However, it is worth noting that the issue of Temploni was resolved, with the waste no longer being compacted. A modern Transfer Station (SMAT) was created, and on five stremma, we now manage all the tons of waste from our Municipality.
Since you admit the excessive cost, and while the construction of the waste management facility continues to be delayed, shouldn't the municipality exert pressure to be relieved of the cost?
I would like to remind you that the municipal authority with SYDISA had surpassed all procedures, with the Council of State giving the green light. However, for other reasons, which I consider a government misstep, the project, which was in its final stages, was frozen and transferred to the regional FODSA, nullifying all previous efforts.
Cultural Buildings
At the ruined 'Nikos Kourkoulos' Theatre in Paleokastritsa, the land was utilised for a playground and parking, while funding from the 'Philodimos' programme has been secured for the reconstruction of the theatre.
Mon Repo 'Rena Vlachopoulou' Theatre: Although was done during the Nikolouzous period, the wooden structure reached the end of its lifespan. We conducted the architectural study and site planning, obtaining approvals from the KAS. The total cost will be around 300,000. It is up to the new municipal authority to finance it either from the Recovery Fund or from its own resources.
Yialina Building
An issue arose regarding the maintenance of the roofs, which the archaeology department had to undertake. Subsequently, there was a re-evaluation of the materials, so the 48% discount on the contract was not sustainable. The municipality proceeded to terminate the contract, and it is now being bridged with ESPA 21-27.
In the case of the Phoenix, the management of archaeological finds was a hindrance. Archaeology deemed specialised studies necessary for the buttress, so we sought assistance from the Regional Authority. Seven out of the required eight studies for the KAS have been completed, along with the update of the aged implementation study that was 15 years old. The tender documents will be ready within the next six months.
San Giacomo. Today, the tender for studies totaling 400,000 Euros is taking place. Simultaneously, we secured another credit for the architectural competition for the Municipal Theatre study. However, a significant amount of time has passed since the Mikalef period to find funding, and in the meantime, the law has changed, resulting in a clash of opinions. Now we await responses from the Public Procurement Authority to see if we can proceed with the old studies or need to create new ones. It is unfair to raise the flag of inaction without knowing what has been done in the past regarding this matter.
Former slaughterhouse – Mandouki
Funding was provided by INTERREG in 2018. It was auctioned in November 2022 for maturity. Simultaneously, there was a problem that, ultimately, was not simple. Bids for relocating services were unsuccessful three times, causing delays, resulting in the credits closing.
Asani Building
The dilapidated building had a problematic ownership status. I personally entered, risking being caught in the act, to reinforce the stairs, secure the windows, and replace the linings to prevent accidents. We are pleased to announce that ETAD has obtained approvals to swiftly carry out rescue interventions.
Traffic – Parking on outskirts of Corfu Town
The development of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is considered the greatest success of this municipal authority. Specialised transport planners conducted studies on 32 nodes. We had feedback from stakeholders and residents through three open consultations. The final phase has been approved, and this programme will now be the basis for the municipality's work with the corresponding financial tools.
We couldn't create a transitional stage, which is the outskirts parking. Although I tried, I have an active contract of €260,000 for the Lyrikou area, which was delayed due to a funerary monument. Its placement had to be approved by the KAS, and simultaneously, we didn't leave it as an open space but added a small square in the place of the reed bed, using our own resources.
I am saddened because I couldn't complete it during my term. I believe the new municipal authority will continue it, but aspirin does not cure the sick. We are talking about 52,000 rented cars, plus buses and private cars, all of which want to pass through San Rocco.
Self-Critique
I believe the fault lies in not giving the citizens the opportunity to understand what is involved in the management of a municipality and to create a relationship of trust and credibility. We could have also organised the municipality's structure better. However, overall, I assess the work positively. I must thank the municipal services, especially the technical ones, as they supported this demanding task. Particularly, I want to express gratitude to my family because I was absent from them for much of these years.
CHRISTINA GEREKOU
