The need to postpone the transfer of the management of the Integrated Waste Management Facility of Pentakomo to the EOA of Limassol is pointed out by the president of the Organization, Yiannis Tsouloftas, arguing that the central state must first complete the design, upgrade and trial operation of the unit, before it comes under the responsibility of the Local Government.
According to the current legislation, as of July 1, 2027, the responsibility for the operation of the OEDA Pentakomo is expected to be transferred to the EOA Limassol. However, Mr. Tsouloftas expresses serious reservations about this development.
Asked to comment on the issue in "F", the president of the EOA Limassol described in black colours the current situation in the OEDA Pentakomo. "The factory is in a deplorable condition. Absolutely no processing is taking place today. If someone visits the OEDA of Pentakomo, they will feel national shame, because all the garbage of the Limassol district is transported there and essentially buried in the ground without receiving the required treatment," he said.
As he explained, this situation creates serious environmental impacts both for the neighbouring communities and for the natural environment of the area. "There is a huge problem in relation to air quality, odours and the protection of the aquifer and the subsoil of the area," he noted.
Calls for completion of projects before transfer
The president of the EOA Limassol stated that procedures are underway by the Ministry of Agriculture for the implementation of an intermediate and final solution, which will allow the upgrade of the OEDA to a modern municipal waste treatment plant.
As he stressed, the Agency considers that these procedures must be completed before the responsibility is transferred to the EOA.
"We believe that the central state should complete the plans and deliver us a properly functioning municipal waste treatment plant in Pentakomo. After the work is completed and the proper operation of the factory is tested for a sufficient period of time, then we are ready to take over its operation," he said.
He underlined that a possible transfer of responsibility while the procedures are still ongoing would create additional problems. "It would be wrong to change the contracting authority in the midst of the procedures that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently implementing. The state plans and implements the solutions, so it will have to complete the project before delivering it," he said.
"We will not accept fines and old obligations"
At the same time, Mr. Tsouloftas appeared particularly categorical regarding the possibility of passing on financial burdens to the EOA Limassol. "Under no circumstances will we accept the transfer of fines, fines from the European Union, refunds of European sponsorships or other old financial obligations from the central state to the EOA Limassol," he underlined.
As he mentioned, the citizens of Limassol should not be asked to bear the cost of mishandling or past decisions on issues that were not created by the Organization itself. At the same time, he stressed that the cost of modernization and substantial reconstruction of the unit should be covered entirely by the central state.
Link to "Pay As You Throw"
The president of the EOA also linked the issue of the OEDA Pentakomo with the implementation of the "Pay As You Throw" system, noting that it cannot be implemented effectively without a clear national plan for waste management.
"We cannot ask citizens to separate organic waste and other garbage, without knowing for sure how it will be utilized and treated. "Pay As You Throw" must be part of an integrated national plan for the management of municipal waste," he concluded.
The LIMASSOL EOA prefers to postpone the transfer of responsibility beyond July 1, 2027, until the design, construction of the necessary infrastructure and the successful trial operation of the unit are completed, in order to receive a fully functional and financially viable project.
