(story by Thalia Neophytou)
The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis said he will enable municipalities to impose severe penalties on polluters of open spaces and will create new green points in Nicosia district, to support the adjustment of local authorities to the new way of waste management in Cyprus, after the closure of the Kotsiatis landfill.
Nicosia`s mayors met with the Minister of Agriculture on Friday to discuss problems caused by the increased cost of the transportation of waste to the waste management facility in Koshi, in Larnaca district, as well as the problem of uncontrolled dumping of waste by locals in open spaces.
The mayors urged the Ministry to financially support them to cope with the transition period created by the change of philosophy on waste management and the Ministry responded by offering his support on infrastructure development, with mayors welcoming the prospect.
At today`s meeting, the actions focused on creating more green points in the municipalities, launching a public awareness campaign in combination with severe penalties for waste dumping in the open areas and creating a transit station in Nicosia where the municipal Refuse Collection Vehicles will be able to leave their waste in order to be transported in Koshi.
Three new green points
—————————————–
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture announced the Ministry`s intention to set up more green points in Nicosia district, where citizens would be able dispose specific categories of household waste for free.
The three new green points will be created in the municipalities of Aglantzia, Latsia and Lakatamia, while the Minister announced that the number of green points will soon multiply throughout Cyprus.
As he said, the Ministry was planning to create more green points but there was initially skepticism and refusal by the local authorities, while now there’s an opposite trend and many areas are calling for green spots, allowing the Ministry to proceed with the planning, having already the appropriate funds in its budget.
Municipal inspectors will be able to impose strict fines
————————————————– ————————————————– –
At the same time, the Ministry, in cooperation with the municipalities and the Press and Information Office, is launching an extensive awareness-raising campaign, as many of the problems arise from the irresponsible attitude of the citizens themselves.
Kadis said that the Ministry would also give legal weapons to the municipalities, allowing them to impose penalties.
Municipal inspectors will be appointed by a ministerial decree within the next few days, having the power to impose strict fines for polluters of open spaces.
As the Minister explained, currently a very small number of inspectors of the Environment Department can impose fines of up to 4000 euros. The ministerial decree would extend this possibility, to include local government representatives appointed by the municipalities.
He added that the Ministry will be take strict measure and will no longer tolerate illegal garbage dumps.
Build infrastructure instead of financial support
————————————————– ——————
At the request of municipalities for financial support due to the increased cost of the transition from indiscriminate dumping of wastes to integrated management, the Ministry has proposed building infrastructure for better waste management.
The Minister said that “we do not want the funds to go to a black hole” and that it would be better to be used for the creation of infrastructures that would support the effort to better manage waste.
“We are working with the municipalities to set up these infrastructures as soon as possible and we have in our budgets the necessary funds to support this effort,” he said.
Mayors satisfied with the Minister`s proposals
————————————————– —————————–
Speaking after the meeting, Strovolos mayor Andreas Papacharalambous said that the closure of the Kotsiatis landfill had caused a number of problems for which the municipalities were unprepared.
“We deal with these problems on a daily basis. We raised the issues to the responsible Minister, Mr. Kadis, and we are leaving this meeting encouraged that the problems will gradually find their solution, “he said.
He thanked the Minister for the immediate response and expressed confidence that they would be able to cope with the problems that arose with the cooperation of all.
He said the Mayors were pleased with the Minister`s proposal and said that the most important infrastructure that needed to be built was a transit station within Nicosia district, in order to reduce the cost of waste transportation in Koshi.
He added that the relevant study for the operation of the transit station has been handed over to the Minister, who made it clear that it was in the Ministry`s intentions to examine it and support it.
