The latest attempt by the Government to award a contract for a “new” subsidised route from Pireus to Rhodes via Symi failed to attract any interest by the shipping companies. When the bids for all tendered routes were opened earlier this week (a total of 19 routes were tendered across Greece), it was revealed that there was no interest at all for the Pireus-Astipalea-Kalimnos-Kos-Nisiros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes route.
The invitation to tender for this “new” route was issued on the 17th of July 2007 by the Ministry of Merchandise Marine and was since publicised by the Government as the “solution” to Symi’s problem of not having a direct ferry connection with the main and largest Greek port for the past 11 months. Rumours were circulating last week that there would be some interest for the new route (companies like GA Ferries were tipped to submit a bid), resulted in the Symi Council agreeing to soften their stance and follow a “wait and see” approach when it comes to escalating their protest (e.g. not participating in the forthcoming General Election).
After the announcement that there was no interest for the route, the Mayor of Symi, Mr Lefteris Papakalodoukas expressed his anger for yet another failed promise by the Government. He said that the problem now affects most of the Dodecanese islands and called for a unified approach on how to proceed after the election is over.
The “Symi result” in the general election this Sunday is expected with great interest. It remains to be seen the extent to which the people of Symi may use their vote to express their dissatisfaction with the situation both in terms of the governing conservative party share of the vote in Symi (which is usually a lot less then the national average) as well as the vote tally of the individual candidates in the Dodecanece constituency (one of whom is Mr Aristotelis Pavlidis, the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy).
The invitation to tender for this “new” route was issued on the 17th of July 2007 by the Ministry of Merchandise Marine and was since publicised by the Government as the “solution” to Symi’s problem of not having a direct ferry connection with the main and largest Greek port for the past 11 months. Rumours were circulating last week that there would be some interest for the new route (companies like GA Ferries were tipped to submit a bid), resulted in the Symi Council agreeing to soften their stance and follow a “wait and see” approach when it comes to escalating their protest (e.g. not participating in the forthcoming General Election).
After the announcement that there was no interest for the route, the Mayor of Symi, Mr Lefteris Papakalodoukas expressed his anger for yet another failed promise by the Government. He said that the problem now affects most of the Dodecanese islands and called for a unified approach on how to proceed after the election is over.
The “Symi result” in the general election this Sunday is expected with great interest. It remains to be seen the extent to which the people of Symi may use their vote to express their dissatisfaction with the situation both in terms of the governing conservative party share of the vote in Symi (which is usually a lot less then the national average) as well as the vote tally of the individual candidates in the Dodecanece constituency (one of whom is Mr Aristotelis Pavlidis, the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy).
Symi News
- THE NEWS of Symi newspaper (December 2009) - Out Now 27/11/2009
- Symi General Election Result 2009 06/10/2009
- What Do You Think About Symi? 21/06/2009
- Ferry Timetables 13/05/2009
- Tragedy 24/01/2009
- Epiphany in Symi 2009 06/01/2009
- Municipal Radio and the News of Symi Party 29/11/2008
- Winter Tourism on Symi 21/11/2008
- Spy Cameras in Yialos 21/11/2008
- Panormitis Celebrations 2008 08/11/2008
- OHI Day 2008 28/10/2008
- Feast of Panagia Glistriani 03/09/2008
- The News of Symi ONLINE on SymiGreece 16/06/2008
- The First FAROS Vet Clinic: A Great Success 10/05/2008
- 8th May Celebrations 2008 08/05/2008
- Celebrating Koukoumas 2008 03/05/2008
- Easter in Symi 2008: 110 Photos & 25 Videos 27/04/2008
- Piraeus to Symi: GA Ferries April/May 2008 Timetable 30/03/2008
- Greek Independence Day 2008 25/03/2008
- Symi Lit with Fires 24/03/2008
- Symi General Election Result 2009 06/10/2009
- What Do You Think About Symi? 21/06/2009
- Ferry Timetables 13/05/2009
- Tragedy 24/01/2009
- Epiphany in Symi 2009 06/01/2009
- Municipal Radio and the News of Symi Party 29/11/2008
- Winter Tourism on Symi 21/11/2008
- Spy Cameras in Yialos 21/11/2008
- Panormitis Celebrations 2008 08/11/2008
- OHI Day 2008 28/10/2008
- Feast of Panagia Glistriani 03/09/2008
- The News of Symi ONLINE on SymiGreece 16/06/2008
- The First FAROS Vet Clinic: A Great Success 10/05/2008
- 8th May Celebrations 2008 08/05/2008
- Celebrating Koukoumas 2008 03/05/2008
- Easter in Symi 2008: 110 Photos & 25 Videos 27/04/2008
- Piraeus to Symi: GA Ferries April/May 2008 Timetable 30/03/2008
- Greek Independence Day 2008 25/03/2008
- Symi Lit with Fires 24/03/2008
(0)
Comments
Be the first to post a comment!
845 hits