Things at Pentakomo waste management plant are getting worse by the day because the environment ministry and the involved departments are “refusing to take responsibility for their actions or inactions,” the Ecological Movement told the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, the Ecological Movement said that pending developments it would report the “misuse of European funds and violation of EU law” to the EU.
Complaints that the department agreed to the remixing of presorted recyclables with general waste at the Koshi plant “indicates criminal governmental negligence and horizontal disregard of the legal obligations of the state,” the movement said.
In its letter, the movement outlined the bad management of waste, improper unloading at the plant and direct dumping of untreated waste from the compressor into the processing line, of which video evidence has been collected over the past three weeks.
The Ecological Movement also cited a public complaint made by former head of the plant Loizos Afxentiou, who said a potential environmental disaster, that highlights the “completely inadequate and environmentally irresponsible operation” of the waste management unit in Limassol, can be avoided if measures are taken in time.
He has also called on the environment department to take measures to prevent the damage.
Afxentiou warns that the “unorthodox” way of disposing of untreated waste threatened to cause “soil as well as surface and underground water pollution.”
The Ecological Movement said that despite complaints and calls to check irregularities at the plant, nothing has been done, as one department cannot fine another department, especially if they are under the same ministry.
“The plant is working on automatic pilot. The legal framework for its operation is not being observed and corrective measures cannot be easily taken, since the Water Development Department [which currently runs the plant] does not have the flexibility to take decisions like a private company,” the movement said.
Also, the ecologists said the vast majority of waste the plant receives is currently buried in the ground, “violating the laws of the state and the EU.”
Furthermore, it says the minister’s refusal to publicise the findings of a report by an investigating committee, due to the upcoming trial, cannot be accepted, as all documents will be accessible once the trial begins.
“The excuse that it is still with the Law Office is not adequate. Disciplinary proceedings should have already started against individuals who in the meantime have been promoted,” the movement said.
