Ionian Islands Solid Waste Management Organisation (FODSA) uncertified

The Ionian Islands FoDSA (Solid Waste Management Organisation) was not positively evaluated and therefore did not receive certification from the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEY) for 2025. The announcement by RAAEY was made on Tuesday, stating that half of the management bodies across the country failed to meet the criteria—seven out of a total of 14.

It remains unclear whether this negative development will delay the procedures for restoring the landfill and constructing the plant and sanitary landfill in Temploni. One of the shortcomings noted in the Regulatory Authority's audit report concerns staffing, as there are currently 25 employees in an organisation designed for approximately 100. The organisation’s administration will have three months to address the issues and secure certification. If successful, the problem will be resolved; for now, it persists.

Observations

Regarding the "Minimum Staffing Requirements Criterion for FoDSA",

• There is no General Manager (PE grade).
• Instead of a PE-level Head of Administrative Services, there is a DE (secondary education) Administrative Officer.
• Similarly, instead of a PE-level Head of Financial Services, there is a DE Financial Officer.
• Furthermore, instead of a PE-level Engineer or Environmental Specialist as Head of Technical Services, there is a TE (technical education) Electrical Engineer.
• Instead of a PE Electrical Engineer, a PE Mechanical Engineer has been appointed.

FoDSA has decided to hire a General Manager (PE) with a three-year term and is coordinating with the Ministry of the Interior to fill the position, which has been vacant since January 31, 2024.

In total, FoDSA Ionian Islands S.A., according to its statement, has 25 employees. The Internal Service Regulation of 2022 allows for a maximum of 100 positions.

Regarding technical specifications:

• A prevention plan for the jurisdiction of FoDSA Ionian Islands S.A. has not been prepared, although the organisation claims it is in the process of drafting the necessary plans and studies.
• No equipment list has been submitted for covering the needs of local authorities in terms of geographical scope.
• A declaration by the legal representative of FoDSA Ionian Islands S.A. regarding violations of significant severity (in landfills of Pallosti in Cephalonia and Skopos in Zakynthos), as cited in a decision by the Minister of Environment and Energy, has not been submitted.

There is a noted overall deviation from recycling targets across all islands, particularly in the separate collection of bio-waste. For Corfu specifically, no data was submitted because the operation of the Recycling Sorting Center (ΚΔΑΥ) was previously under the responsibility of EEAA, and FoDSA is now assuming its operation starting January 1, 2025.

On the positive side, FoDSA Ionian Islands S.A. has a positive financial balance and can cover the costs of infrastructure restoration and post-closure care through the creation of a special reserve.

Conclusion

In summary, FoDSA Ionian Islands S.A. has submitted a documentation file containing information on its administrative capacity and the actions taken thus far to meet the evaluation criteria, as per the Joint Ministerial Decision. After evaluating the documentation, specific targeted and substantial actions are deemed necessary in various areas outlined in the Annual Assessment Report on the organisation’s administrative capacity.

At present, the organisation cannot be deemed administratively adequate. It is proposed that the organisation be requested to provide the necessary information within three months of receiving this notice to improve the quality and sustainability of its services and ensure its administrative capacity.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS