The Special Development Program of Western Attica, with a total budget of 545.35 million eurospresented today during the Regional Council by the regional governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias, marking the start of the administration’s initiatives for the substantial improvement of everyday life in the area.

“We start from Western Attica to plan tomorrow. We owe it to each of its 164,000 residents individually”, the regional governor of Attica emphasized in his presentation, underlining that through this program a definitive solution is given to the problems that all factions, without exception, highlighted during the pre-election period. “In this context,” he characteristically said, “small factional logics do not fit. I hope that all 85 regional councilors, regardless of ideological affiliation, will put our signatures.”

Objective of the program, the implementation of which will develop over a five-year period, is the definitive solution to the major problems that have plagued Western Attica for decades (high unemployment, low average income, large number of vulnerable citizens) through the systematic exploitation of its strategic advantages, such as the operation in the area of ​​most of the production units in the region, the large “green lungs” and the dynamic primary sector.

The program will be based on five central pillars, for each of which there will be an allocated budget for the development of specific projects within strict timetables. Particularly:

  • In the field of road safety and infrastructure, 164 million euros will be allocated for the upgrading of sections of the old National Road, the creation of uneven junctions at points of high traffic load, the restoration of damages and parapets in the road network under the jurisdiction of the region, as well as the widening and redesigning roads in the municipalities of the region.
  • Anti-flood shielding and the protection of citizens from the consequences of the climate crisis are being strengthened with projects of 144.05 million euros. In this context, anti-flood interventions and the construction of rainwater drainage networks are planned in all the municipalities of Western Attica, demarcations, arrangements and intensification of stream cleaning, as well as the preparation of comprehensive studies for retention and drainage projects.
  • Emphasis is placed on the environment and quality of life, with projects of 122.3 million euros, which include the upgrading of sewage treatment infrastructures, the creation of the EYDAP supply pipeline and the modernization of water supply networks, the substantial investment in the supply of equipment and informational actions for recycling and civil protection, urban regeneration, the upgrading of school and sports facilities and the promotion of peri-urban forests and cultural landmarks.
  • The focus is on strengthening social cohesion, with targeted actions, with a budget of 67 million euros. In this direction, the creation of new and the modernization of existing nurseries and kindergartens and school units, the construction of primary health infrastructure and the supply of modern medical equipment, the expansion of support for social structures to deal with poverty and exclusion, as well as the upgraded assistance to vulnerable families through TEBA.
  • New impetus is being given to entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation, with 18 million euros directed to the strengthening of productive investments and small and medium-sized enterprises, the cooperation of public and private bodies in research and the areas of expertise of the region and the provision of modern digital services to citizens and businesses.

As part of the program, an additional fund of 30 million euros has also been budgeted, which will be allocated, in consultation with the municipalities of Western Attica, for additional technical interventions in the wider region.

As Nikos Hardalias underlined, the program will be multi-fund, since for its implementation every available resource from all financial sources (national resources and European funds) will be used, while an annual review and the extraction of additional resources, where this is required, is foreseen.

“Today we start from Western Attica, to give flesh and bones to our commitments to society”, said the regional governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias and added: “Our enemy is the problems that have tormented the residents for decades, without ever having been systematically take care of solving them. Our starting point is the unique advantages of Western Attica and our strong will to change everything. Our powerful tool is the utilization of all financial tools, down to the last euro. Our goal is to have balanced development, security and a better life for all our fellow citizens, in all the neighborhoods of Attica. No one will be left behind.”

Opening the proceedings of the Regional Council, the mayor of Aspropyrgos, Yiannis Ilias, welcomed the regional councilors, noting that it is the first time that the House meets in Western Attica. “We are particularly pleased that you are here today, especially after an on-site examination of the issues plaguing the region. In our region, more than a quarter of the national wealth is produced. However, there are also issues that are obstacles to development, which, if resolved, lay the foundation for an auspicious and creative course for Western Attica and for the entire country”, he underlined and added: “Mr regional governor, you have a successful course. You have a vision and, rightly so, we all expect a lot from you for the good of our region and our country. Today, you are giving a message of the highest importance, which fills us with joy and optimism and corresponds to the national vision of progress and unity”