Summary
- The Orihuela City Council is set to approve the management of street cleaning adn waste collection services through a municipal company.
- The change aims to enhance efficiency and save over €620,000 annually.
- Opposition from the PSOE party raises concerns about the motivations behind the shift and the claimed savings.
- The municipal company will also handle maintenance of public spaces and additional services.
Municipal Management of Waste Services in Orihuela Approved
In a significant move for the city of Orihuela, the local government is poised to approve the management of street cleaning and solid waste collection through a new municipal company during a plenary session this Wednesday. This decision, long in the making, signifies a shift back to public management after a mixture of prior arrangements.
Details of the New Management Structure
Currently, the waste management service was municipalized in 2012 under the leadership of Los Verdes and the PSOE. However, the latest direction will designate a public company as the sole manager of these services, ensuring full public participation. The company to be used is Servicio de Gestión Ambiental de Orihuela S.L., led by Dámamo Aparicio, a former city councilor and current advisor to the government team.
Dámamo explains that the pivotal reasons for this political decision include:
- Increased Efficiency: The new structure allows for quicker decision-making regarding hiring and equipment procurement.
- Cost Savings: Adoption of this model is projected to save approximately €620,000 annually, amounting to a fully managed budget of €21.3 million.
These assertions are based on detailed analyses from various departments, confirming the financial and operational advantages of this approach.
Comprehensive Service Offerings
The newly established municipal company will not only manage waste collection and street cleaning but will also be responsible for:
- Maintenance and Repair of Public Areas: ensuring public spaces are well-kept.
- Waste Processing and Recycling: Handling all types of waste and engaging in recycling efforts.
The analysis from Runitek steadfast that these operations would incur a substantially reduced cost of €1,722,217, representing a savings of €36,700 for maintenance tasks alone.
Political Responses and Controversies
Despite the anticipated approval, opposition from the PSOE party has emerged, with spokesperson Carolina Gracia denouncing the shift in management. They argue that this change is driven by political interests rather than technical or economic rationales.
- Skepticism on Savings: They question the claimed savings of €620,000, arguing that the actual financial implications, including potential new labor costs, haven’t been fully disclosed.
- Political Implications: There are accusations that this move serves to benefit Dámamo Aparicio directly, who they claim will be an additional financial burden on the public budget.
Dámamo refutes these claims, insisting that any salary will be determined by the council, projected to be within €66,000 to €70,000.
Conclusion
As Orihuela prepares to transition to this new model for waste management, the future performance and efficiency of the public company will be closely scrutinized. The fate of this initiative and its long-term economic implications remain hotly debated among local political factions.
For more details, visit the original article at La Verdad.
Sources: