The Deputy Minister of Interior, Stelios Petsas from Western Macedonia: "We are consistent in our words - We make the lives of citizens better"
The institutional and development priorities of the Local Government bodies of A 'and B' Degree were put on the table in the meetings of the Deputy Minister of Interior, Stelios Petsas, on the first day of his two-day visit, in the region of Western Macedonia and Thessaloniki.
Mr.. Petsas referred extensively to the financial tools available to Municipalities and Regions throughout the country, in order to implement high-priority projects immediately, with multiplier benefits for local communities, increase incomes for residents and create new jobs.
The first stop of the tour of the Deputy Minister of Interior was the Deskati of Grevena. Mr.. Petsas met with Mayor Deskatis Mr.. D. Kordila and a meeting followed with the participation of the Deputy Mayors Mr.. B. Tegou and X.. Orphanides and the MP of Grevena of New Democracy, K. A. Patsi.
The Deputy Minister of Interior was informed about the projects that, or have already been submitted, or are going to join the "Antonis Tritsis" Program, total height up to 6 million. euro. As he pointed out after the meetings:
«We talked about the development footprint we want to have in the region, order the people who are here today, their children and their children's children to be able to stay in their place. It is very important to make good use of the resources that exist, to finance rural road construction projects, water supply, digital transformation projects, as well as projects that will leave a better environmental footprint in the area».
Mr.. Petsas was updated, also, for the course of repairing the damage from the earthquake in Deskati, especially with regard to the water supply network. As announced, The disbursement of money for the financial support of the victims is proceeding immediately. Alongside, The relief of the farmers affected by the recent bad weather was also put on the table.
Next stop of the visit of the Deputy Minister of Interior was the city of Grevena. Mr.. Petsas met with the Mayor of Grevena and President of the Regional Development Plan of Western Macedonia, K. C. Dastamani and a meeting followed in the presence of the Deputy Mayors Mr.. X.. Triangle and M.. Adamou, as well as the MP of Grevena of New Democracy, K. A. Patsi.
The proposals submitted to the "Antonis Tritsis" Program were at the center of the discussions., as well as the degrees of flexibility provided by the Program for the Municipalities that will want to include more projects.
After the end of the discussions, the Deputy Minister of Interior stated: «I am very pleased to see that a very good preparation has been done. Most of the proposals submitted by the Municipalities of the area are extremely realistic. Therefore, I am pleased to say that almost all of the proposals that have been submitted, will join the "Antonis Tritsis" Program. These are projects related to the regeneration of areas and the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens, water supply, rural road construction projects, as well as electrification programs».
During the contacts of the Deputy Minister of Interior developed, also, the broader Government planning for the region, with major development projects on the main roads, while the reference was extensive for the ways in which both the primary sector and the tourist character of the area can be strengthened..
The Deputy Minister of Interior reiterated the commitment of the Government to be by the side of the citizens and to support the world of work, but also the Local Government, for as long as needed in the midst of the pandemic. As he characteristically noted: «What matters is the substance, which is contained within the "title" of any political initiative. We will be back soon, here, when works begin to be carried out in the area. When every citizen will be able to see that the financial tools we have at our disposal, they really take place, in order to be consistent in what we say, that is, to make the lives of citizens better».
Mr.. Petsas met, also, and with a delegation of employees in the Program "Help at Home" and was informed by the Municipal Authority about the actions that have been taken, so that there is no issue of delay in their payroll.
Last stop of the first day of the visit of the Deputy Minister of Interior to Western Macedonia, was Kozani.
Mr.. Petsas met with the Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, C. Kasapidis and pointed out the importance of properly using the financial tools that the Local Government has in its hands, in order for local communities to change their face. They participated in the meeting, also, including, the Deputy Regional Head of Business Development, K. C. Βαβλιάρας, the President of the Kozani Chamber, N. Sarris, the Mayor of Grevena and President of the Regional Development Plan of Western Macedonia, K. C. Dastamanis, the Mayor of Argos-Orestiko, K. Pi. Kepaptsoglou and the Kozani MP of New Democracy, K. Pi. Vryzidou.
Special mention was made of the two emblematic projects that have already been included in the "Antonis Tritsis" Program, height 12,6 million. euro. The first concerns the creation of the first "green" cheese dairy in Greece, in the area of Voio and the second in the tourist development of Lake Sisani. «These are two projects with a strong imprint in the primary and tertiary sectors, which show that the Region has a vision, which can combine different productive capacities of the place, in order for the site to change page for the better», said the Deputy Minister of Interior. Alongside, Mr.. Petsas assured that there will be the maximum possible support for mature investment projects in the region.
During his visit, in the Region, The Deputy Minister of Interior also met with representatives of the business world of Kozani, with whom he discussed how the gradual opening of economic activities is evolving, based on epidemiological data, as well as with representatives of the rural world and producers affected by the frost in the area.
The Deputy Minister of Interior met, also, and with the Mayor of Kozani, K. Λ. Maluta. The change in the development model of the region was at the center of the discussions, through the de-lignification plan, with projects funded either by the "Antonis Tritsis" Program, either through the NSRF, either from the Recovery Fund, or through Public-Private Partnerships.
«We are your allies in whatever is needed. Actually, where you see a problem, there is also an opportunity. I am optimistic that we will be able to meet most of your expectations, as we take into account not only the amount of funding provided for in this ceiling per se, but also the greatest needs caused by the metallignant era. We will be, also, next to you for as long as needed in any emergency funding to deal with the pandemic, in an area that has been very much tested all this time», said Mr.. Petsas.
They participated in the meeting, also, the Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, C. Kasapidis, the President of the Municipal Council, K. Pi. Toumpoulidou, the President of DEYA, K. K. Kytidis and the Kozani MP of New Democracy, K. Pi. Vryzidou.
