The Region of Central Macedonia, in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), is starting a new cycle of measurements for the stench in Evosmos.

The deputy governor of Thessaloniki, Kostas Youtikas, during today’s accountability meeting of the regional authority, emphasized that despite the actions taken by the Region, the problem of the stench has not been addressed and for this reason, as he said, a new programming contract with AUTH is already underway , through the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia. “Sampling has already begun, which is being carried out not only in all the initial points, but also in new ones, in order to ascertain the effectiveness or otherwise of the projects from the side of ELPE”, he noted.

In addition, Mr. Giutikas announced that he has requested a meeting with the competent Minister of Environment and Energy, Th. Skylakakis, in order to raise with him the issues of the ministry’s direct jurisdiction, among which is the ongoing problem of the stench on the west side of the city.

In particular, answering two questions that raise related issues, from the “Change” faction of Mr. Mylopoulos on air pollution and the stench in western Thessaloniki, as well as from the “People’s Rally” on the stench, the deputy governor reminded that the region commissioned and financed the implementation of a scientific research program at the Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory of the AUTH Chemistry Department, publicized its findings and pointed to the ELPE and their operation as the cause of the problem. The projects that ELPE committed to implement were announced in March 2019, the Region submitted to the ministry proposals to tighten the environmental conditions governing the operation of ELPE, while the Regional Governor, finding delays in the execution of the works, publicly requested their acceleration and called the ELPE to assume their responsibilities. Thus, according to the Region’s information, four projects have been completed.

Regarding air pollution, the deputy regional governor pointed out that the Central Macedonia Region has taken important initiatives and has progressed in vital projects, even though its only responsibility in this area is the management of the operation of the National Air Pollution Monitoring Network Stations (EDPAR). , who are established in Thessaloniki. He emphasized that the stations were upgraded, while two new ones were commissioned.

Regarding the condemnation of Greece by the European Court for the excesses in the prices of microparticles in the atmosphere of Thessaloniki, he clarified that it was Greece that was condemned and not the Region, which, after all, financed and drew up an Operational Plan to deal with atmospheric pollution and recommends proposals to the competent ministry to take specific measures. Finally, he emphasized that the implementation of the proposed measures requires legislative regulations.