2024-04-17 19:18:58
The Preveza Member of Parliament of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance Kostas Barkas, who was at the “headquarters” of the Epirus Department of the Technical Chamber of Greece, is asking the Ministry of Infrastructure for immediate answers to the reasons for the closure of the Malakassi tunnel in Egnatia Odos, in order to discuss with the scientific community the issue that arose, after the governor’s statements.
Mr. Barkas, in his statements, flanked by the Coordinator of N.E. Ioannina of the Vassilis Economou party and the head of the regional faction “Kiono ton Epirot” Yiannis Stefos, reiterated that there are still questions about road safety and the actions of the ministry.
“We believe that answers should be given immediately. The country has been badly hit by public transport failures and I refer directly to the Tempe disaster. Mr. Tachiaos must answer immediately to the society of Epirus and the country for the reason why the Egnatia Road was closed, why were we led to this decision after the statements of the regional governor? Was the road and its use dangerous in the past?” he said.
When asked about this, he spoke of political management of the issue by the government, which proceeded to close the road, without scientific findings on this necessity existing or at least having been made public.
“Mr. Tachiaos should not make decisions in secret, he should inform us of the reasons that led to the closure and if these reasons existed before,” he noted, adding that there is also intervention by the Prosecutor on the issue.
“These statements and the decision have created a big fuss. We need to find out what’s going on. We will be fully informed”, noted Mr. Barkas, stressing that this will also be done through the question that has been submitted and concerns whether the Ministry will immediately send a competent team to check the highway in the Epirus region and whether it will publish an expert opinion , in order to confirm the safe crossing of the Egnatia Road in Epirus, among other things.
“I hope these are not arguments for a possible renegotiation of the companies for the Egnatia Road concession price”, noted Mr. Barkas, answering questions.
I. Tsimaris is also asking for the truth
Ioannina MP of PASOK Yiannis Tsimaris characterizes as dangerous the indifference shown by the competent Ministry towards the security issue raised publicly by the regional governor of Epirus, noting the contradiction of the traffic stop with the assurances that everything is fine.
“However, the tunnels are closed when the safety standards are not met. Not for the sake of sensationalism, but not for the eyes of the world. Let someone finally tell us the truth”, he says in his statement.
No report from the governor
Epirus regional governor Alekos Kahrimanis did not want to make any reference to the issue that arose after his reports at today’s meeting of the Regional Committee.
An attempt was made to get answers by the head of the People’s Rally of Epirus Giorgos Prentzas, however he was referred to the meeting of the regional council.