In the implementation of budget projects of 18.6 million euros in the municipality of Ag. Varvaras for the improvement of everyday life and the strengthening of social cohesion, as an indicative part of the program implemented by the regional authority for Western Athens, the regional governor of Attica mentioned, during his speech at the regional council meeting, held at the municipal cinema “Yiannis Ritsos” in Ag. Barbara.

“The ‘western arc’ of Athens is for us a way of thinking and a unique bet. The West will become a brand of opportunity and perspective, not abandonment and empty promises,” the regional governor emphasized in his statement and added: “I know the region and its problems very well. I am also well aware that there are no magic solutions, nor can they be solved in the blink of an eye. It takes time, a specific plan, methodical execution, honest and direct collaborations with the municipalities of Western Athens, with the state and with social agencies, but – above all – it takes will, which we have and we are determined to move forward in front”.

Referring to the actions concerning the municipality of Agia Varvara, which hosted the meeting, Mr. Hardalias underlined that the Region of Attica has a total of 18.6 million euros, from its own resources and NSRF, for projects that upgrade the daily life of citizens.

In particular, the regional governor stated that the bioclimatic urban regeneration in Patras Germanou District, with a budget of 4.5 million euros, as well as the construction of sidewalks in the amount of 580 thousand euros, are in the implementation stage, while the study and construction of the Polycenter of Social Policy and Information, a budget of 4.2 million euros, but also the upgrading of the sports facilities of the municipality, with a total cost of 3.8 million euros.

At the same time, as Mr. Hardalias said, with NSRF resources of 5.1 million euros, a total of 11 actions are implemented through PEP Attica to strengthen the social grocery stores and pharmacies of the municipality, the supply of modern educational equipment and the improvement of school infrastructure , the care for the elderly, as well as the empowerment of the Roma community, who are also an important part of the city’s population.

In fact, on the occasion of the recent inclusion of the municipality of Ag. Varvaras in the program for the construction of new school rooms, Mr. Hardalias underlined that one of the main priorities of the Region’s administration is to assist the municipal authorities in their efforts for the correct compilation and timely submission of the necessary studies, in order to speed up the process approval and completion of the projects necessary to upgrade the living conditions in each region. In this context, as he said, the change of the statute of the New Metropolitan Attica is being promoted, so that 2.5% of the development organization of the Region is directed to PEDA to support the municipalities of Attica in carrying out studies.

“The realization of today’s regional council in Western Athens gives our mark for hard work – all together – so that we can be useful to the citizens, far from our ideological origins. Our goal is one: to create a just, prosperous, green, sustainable Attica – for all citizens, without exceptions. It is a bet we made with ourselves for the citizens of every neighborhood of our Attica. And we will win this bet” concluded Nikos Hardalias.

Welcoming the start of the PESY work, the mayor of Agia Varvara, Lambros Michos, asked Mr. Hardalia to further strengthen the cooperation with the municipality on issues concerning the local community, such as the energy upgrade of social housing, the preparation of studies and projects anti-flood protection, the replacement of the outdated part of the water supply network, etc. He also proposed the cooperation of the two levels of self-government, for the promotion of the historical route from the Acropolis to Eleusis, “a route of historicity, spirituality and self-knowledge”, as he characteristically said .

Before the start of the meeting, the mayors of Petroupoli, Vangelis Simos, and of Haidari, Michalis Selekos, took the floor, who referred to the important issues that concern local communities, such as the removal of the landfill and environmentally friendly and public health management of waste, anti-flood and anti-fire protection, urban regeneration, etc.. The meeting was also attended by the mayor of Ilion, Adriana Alevizou.