“My priority is the daily life of the citizens and my main concern is their safety,” said Nikos Hardalias, the candidate for Attica Regional Mayor with the “Attiki Brosta” combination, in an interview with the “Real Fm” radio station.

And he explained:We are talking about three main axes: Safety against any health risk, such as garbage. Security against any natural danger, against extreme weather phenomena. Safety against the average crime we see in neighborhoods. And that is why all plans need to be updated, in collaboration with the relevant agencies and the Ministry of Citizen Protection, because the facts have changed».

Regarding the confusion of responsibilities between the State and Local Government in many issues, Mr. Hardalias pointed out: “I have faced the problems both as a self-administrative and as a state functionary, as a member of the Government. I know exactly what needs to change. We need to stop overlapping and get away from the logic that “it’s not my responsibility it’s someone else’s”. Anything related to the safety of citizens will be my responsibility, it will be my responsibility. And I say this boldly and with all my mental strength as a person who has faced every crisis that has existed in the country in recent years».

Referring to the security against extreme weather phenomena, the candidate Regional Mayor of Attica emphasized: “Law 4662 of 2020 provides for 13 regional operational centers in the 13 Regions of the country. All the feasibility studies have progressed and we need to go even faster. At the same time, there is a need to bring some order to the issue of anti-flood projects. For example, in Attica some of the streams cannot be the responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure, others the responsibility of the Municipalities and others of the Region. We will proceed with the promotion of necessary projects and take advantage of financial tools – which we have not taken advantage of until now, with programs and axes concerning environmental issues and flood protection of cities».

Regarding the perennial problem of waste management in Attica, which is linked to the health safety of citizens, Mr. Hardalias underlined:We will tackle the issue metropolitanly, based on new technologies, placing a huge emphasis on the circular economy and, most importantly, on recycling. We will move with new management logics and with a legislative framework which will be clear. Within the first three years, everything we need to do will have been set in motion».