Harakopoulos: “ODYTH will deal with the pathologies that emerged with Daniel”

“Bold decisions are needed to correct the wrong texts, to deal with long pending issues, such as the transfer of water from Acheloos, and to implement small and large projects with a multiple – where possible – character, anti-flooding, irrigation, water supply and also energy for the green energy production. In this context, I consider the provision for the creation of a single Water Management Organization of Thessaly to deal with chronic pathogens that emerged with Ianos and Daniel to be a cross section. I also want to thank the Minister of the Environment Mr. Skylakakis from this step because he listened to the anxiety of the workers who are moving to the new Organization and ensures their job security and equality”. The above was emphasized by the MP of Larissa of New Democracy, Mr. Maximos Harakopoulos, speaking at the debate of the draft law of the Ministry of Environment and Energy: “Regulations to deal with the multi-level effects of climate change”
Pending TOEB and “orphan” projects
The Thessalian politician pointed out that “ODYTH as the successor of TOEB, should from the moment of its operation be able to respond to the irrigation needs of the Thessalian farmers. This assumes that all of its operational issues have been resolved. However, many of the TOEBs that will be absorbed are not certain to process Daniel’s damage repairs within a year. In a significant area of the area of responsibility of TOEB Pinios, for example, it is estimated that the waters from the floods will not have drained. Therefore, perhaps it would be safer for the successful operation of the new agency and the servicing of irrigation needs if the one-year forecast for the full absorption of TOEBs is not so strict.” In addition, he pointed out that care should also be taken for the projects in Thessaly which, although completed, remain “orphans”. A typical example is the Gyrtoni dam, which holds precious water for the irrigators of the Parakarlian areas.
It is an “orphan” project, it does not belong to anyone, and in order to fulfill one of its roles, the supply of irrigation water, every year at the beginning of the irrigation season, damages due to theft or lack of maintenance must be repaired. The question is who will pay for them? The TOEB Piniou that needs the water but does not have the authority to manage it, the region of Thessaly or the Ministry of Infrastructure that built it? Other projects have similar management problems and impacts on their profitability. Therefore, I consider it vital that there be a provision in consultation with the co-competent ministries for the delivery of the “orphaned” works of Thessaly to ODYTH”.
Respite for vulnerable citizens
Maximos Charakopoulos requested that the ODYTH examine the utilization of updated studies, such as the one from 2008 for the construction of small dams in the area of the Pinios Delta, for which he was informed by the former mayor of the former municipality of Evrymena, Mr. Dimitris Tsitse. Finally, he underlined that “the “Apollo” program provided for in the bill under discussion aspires to give breath to vulnerable citizens who find it difficult to meet the repayment of their bills, as from the production of energy from RES, there will be an offset with the energy consumed, as long as it is sufficient to participate in the established energy community”.
You can watch the speech of Mr. Charakopoulos at the email address: