The regional governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, in a post on social media, expresses his indignation at the unjustified delay in the start of the construction project of the new town hall of Ag Preparatis and pledges that it will soon proceed.

In fact, he cites the timeline of the delays and omissions that have stuck the project on paper and emphasizes that “those responsible for the wrong handling, chronic delays and above all for the money that was spent without a response will be held accountable.”

In his lengthy post with the chronicle of the case, he points out the serious problems that were presented from the beginning, with the biggest of all being the identified deviation of the survey, on which the study of the Municipality’s services for the project was based and implemented. “In other words, the project was auctioned… with a WRONG topographical diagram,” he emphasizes.

He notes that the relevant contract was signed on December 6, 2017, between the previous administration of the Attica Region, which would finance the project with a budget of 11,949,514 euros, and the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi.

– The contract was signed three years later (December 21, 2020).

However, the municipal authority, despite written and verbal complaints to change the topographical diagram, never took corrective actions, as a result of which the problems multiplied. In order not to waste any more time, the Region of Attica began excavations, until the amended study was submitted, which never arrived.

On top of that, adds the regional governor, during the earthworks, it was found that additional measures to strengthen and support the pits were required, with inconsistency, the conclusion of a supplementary study for the additional works, amounting to 1,413,835 euros, an amount that was now burdened by the Municipality Saint Paraskevi.

The tussle continued as the relevant contract was signed on February 16, 2023, but the project contractor had stopped work since August 30, 2022 and pulled out permanently citing a large increase in the price of materials.

As Mr. Hardalias points out, after seven years of delays and serious mistakes, for which the Region of Attica is not responsible, “and after our services have exhausted all the possibilities provided by law by granting an extension of the deadline to the contractor, the project finally abandoned’ – commonly disbanded on May 31 this year.

As for the next day, N. Hardalias pledges that he will ensure the necessary resources and oversee the progress of the construction of the palace, “until it is handed over to society”.

On the occasion of the subject, he characteristically declares “I have learned to always speak with clear words. We do not accept agreements that will not ensure the completion of the project. And we will seek accountability from all those who negligently and mismanaged this iconic project. We will not stop until these responsibilities are distributed to those who managed to turn a dream of many years, of the residents of the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi, into a blank letter”, he emphasizes. And he concludes: “Without wasting time, we are immediately initiating the procedures so that the Agia Paraskevi Town Hall becomes a reality.”

The following is the entire post of the Regional Governor N. Hardalia, on his personal social media account

Immediately after assuming our duties, in January 2024, we had to manage an unpleasant situation, the substantial abandonment of the work of the City Hall of Agia Paraskevi, for which our new regional authority bears not the slightest responsibility, but has the strongest will to resolve. As we have proven, in practice, that we do for every problem.
In order to restore the truth and in response to publications, as well as announcements by faction leaders of the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi, I want to be clear. With respect to the citizens of Agia Paraskevi. And with a high sense of responsibility towards them.
For this emblematic project, with a budget of €11,943,514.10 and financing from resources of the Region of Attica, a contract was signed between the Region and the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi on 6/12/2017, based on which the tender was held by the Region on 30 /07/2018, while the contract was signed on 21/12/2020.
Right from the beginning of the work, serious problems were presented, the biggest of all being the identified deviation of the topography, on which the study of the Municipality’s services for the project was based and implemented.
In other words, the project was auctioned with the WRONG topographical diagram.
Unfortunately, the previous Municipal Authority of Agia Paraskevi, despite the constant written and verbal complaints of our services, never took the necessary corrective actions, as a result of which the problems in the progress of the works continued and grew.
The previous Regional Authority started the excavation work, pending the amended study from the Municipality, which was not submitted as due.
In fact, during the earthworks, it was found that additional measures to reinforce and support the pits were required.
In this context, it was deemed necessary to enter into a supplementary contract for the execution of the additional works, with a total cost of €1,413,835.68, with the cost borne by the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi.
The relevant contract was signed on 16/2/2023, while the contractor of the project had already stopped his work from 30/08/2022.
So, after seven years of delays and serious mistakes, for which – I repeat – the Region of Attica is not responsible, and after our services exhausted all the possibilities provided by law by granting an extension of the deadline to the contractor, the project was finally abandoned – dissolved on 31/05/2024.
The goal of our administration all these months was to exhaust all the possibilities, which are strictly provided by law, so that the project can continue and – mainly – be completed.
However, despite our stated intentions in this direction, the contractor declared an inability to respond to the project’s requirements and citing large increases in the prices of the materials, decided to withdraw.
We want to be absolutely honest with the citizens of Agia Paraskevi. As we have committed to be honest, with every citizen, in every neighborhood of our Attica.
And I’ve learned to always speak with clear words! We do not accept agreements that will not ensure the completion of the project.
And we will seek accountability from all those who negligently and mismanaged this iconic project.
And be sure that we will not stop until these responsibilities are distributed to those who managed to turn a dream, of many years, of the residents of the Municipality into a blank letter.
Those responsible for this situation will be held accountable for the wrong handling, for the delays and above all for the money of the tax-paying Greek citizen that was spent without a final response.
At the same time, I want to assure the citizens of Agia Paraskevi that both I personally, as well as the entire administration of the Region, are committed to ensuring the necessary resources and overseeing the development of the project, until it is handed over to society.
Without wasting time, we immediately initiate the procedures so that the Agia Paraskevi Town Hall becomes a reality.
Because what the citizens need is a non-negotiable goal for us.
And we’re not backing down from that.