Zakynthos Informer Zakynthos Informer
Related Articles
In a recent interview on Stigma FM, our Member of Parliament talked about issues concerning Zakynthos. He stated the following:-
What is happening with the coronavirus pandemic is not something that concerns only our country, it is a global issue with the result that all states are in recession because of it. Despite the increase in cases as a country, we continue to be a shining example of pandemic management. The government managed the economic and health crisis responsibly, it is logical for the citizens to trust it and this is reflected in the recent poll that shows us twenty points ahead of SYRIZA in the intention to vote.
Government efforts as a political party
As a government, we have also succeeded in eliminating migration flows, while at the same time taking seriously the most important national issue today, that of Turkey, which we have isolated internationally. There will be sanctions against Turkey, such as the freezing of its customs union with the European Union.
The people do not trust SYRIZA and the official opposition must understand that we are no longer in the year 2015 when millions of lies were told to the citizens. Mr. Tsipras did not tear anything with a signature as he said, they deceived citizens and they have been punished by the people. It is not true that they left us full of funds; Mr. Tsipras himself said three months before the elections that the funds are empty. We filled the funds because we restored the international credibility of the country, the trust of our creditors, foreign investors and our partners.
The Pandemic.
We can put a brake on the spread of the pandemic, as long as we trust the committee of expert scientists, the recent research states that 65% of the Greek people trust it. Not everyone can say what they want. One has to play in the forefront and that is what the experts do. We are trying to avoid a new general lockdown, and we are trying very hard to support the national health system. We are afraid of it collapsing from a rapid increase in cases. From the tracing of the cases, we see that there are very few imported cases, those that are detected by the controls at the airports. Of yesterday’s total of 882 cases, only 44 were imported. So tourism is not to blame for the increase in cases.
Zakynthos entered the health surveillance grade three, because at some point the reference hotel hosted 25 cases, while we also had some cases in the local population. Zakynthos will soon leave level three and the measures will be relaxed. But vigilance is required.
Zakynthos Hospital
However, I repeat our concern is to keep the national health system upright, which is why strict measures have been taken. The ICU at Zakynthos Hospital is fully operational with five beds, it is fully equipped, but if a large number of cases break out it will be difficult to control the smooth operation of our Hospital. No matter how many beds you have, the effort is continuous. Our Hospital has already been strengthened with almost a hundred hospital and paramedical staff, while by the end of the year another three intensive care workers will arrive, a director and two curators. Very important steps have been taken in the field of health, especially in our Hospital. We have brought machines, we have molecular analysis systems for the coronavirus, we have proceeded with the energy upgrade of the institution, and among all these, we finally managed to include Zakynthos in the alpha category of barren and remote areas. This means that the incentives for hiring medical staff are upgraded, with significant financial, scientific, grading and licensing benefits for them. In addition, this comes with significant advantages in licenses and on-call time, but also in their professional development.
Furthermore, we gave a code to the Municipalities so that they can cover the costs of housing and food for doctors. So people should be calm and feel safe, knowing that the Hospital of Zakynthos is strengthened. I am not going to stop trying for the continuous strengthening of our Hospital. Influenza vaccines are prescribed because obviously a priority has been given to vulnerable groups.
Councils.
I used to be a pioneer in not having a single Municipality. It has been found that with one Municipality, most villages and Communities have been left without intervention. They haven’t seen a single project in ten years. When we had six Municipalities in Zakynthos, they also saw interventions in the villages. But let us not forget that funding has also been reduced. At the time when I was in the Municipality of Zakynthos, that is, of the city, we received 1.4 million euros through SATA, while today a single Municipality receives 700 thousand for the whole island. This happened because of the financial crisis. The proposal for three Municipalities has its advantages and disadvantages. In Corfu, for example, talks have already begun to return to the previous regime with one Municipality. However, the competent Ministry of Interior does not have the best picture for the division of the Municipalities. The whole discussion that has been going on lately about the creation of three Municipalities on the island did not come from any of my own initiatives. It started with the municipal faction “Feedback” of the former Mayor Mr. Agalianos, I said that the Common Mayors should bring me their proposals to see the overall view of society. This debate is ongoing.
Regarding the issue of non-construction on plots of up to four acres outside the city plan, I had a telephone contact with the Minister of Environment Mr. Hatzidakis, and I told him that the island areas have nothing to do with the rest of mainland Greece, because here we have small plots in regards to real estate. The Minister told me that we will let what is valid so far be valid, but there is a risk that someone will go to court invoking the law. The Minister did not tell me that the building plan is being abolished, but that we must enter a class spatially and then examine everything. He told me that if the citizens trust us, the owners should wait for the bill to be tabled, which can be done immediately, and they will see that they will not lose their property.
Navagio.
When we decide not to get too involved in the issue of the Shipwreck, then the solution to the issue will be given. I had found the solution, but some did not want it, some do not want a solution. So, we’re waiting for the developments.
Zakynthos Port
It is clear that the pier for cruise ships can only be made at the pier of Agios Nikolaos. Some people here do not want a solution and they are the ones who are responsible for the whole delay. Personally, I do not bear responsibility but I am worried that the financing of the project, amounting to two million euros, will be lost due to the delay.
I do not care and I do not refer at all to the past, I am interested in the future, and what we can do for our island. That alone concerns me.
For the full report and interview in Greek click on source link:- https://stigmafm.gr
