“Today I have only good words to say and give thanks and congratulations.
In a time of difficulties, problems and challenges, mainly caused by external factors, nothing could be done if some people did not fight to keep society on its feet and face the challenges,” said the Minister of Maritime and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, at the inaugurationof the new port of Itea,a project with a total budget of 6.2 million euros.
As noted by Mr. Kikilias, the port of Itea, with its upgrade , is a very functional, beautiful project, adapted to the beauty of the place, with respect to the cultural heritage and what the region represents. “Here was work done, coordinated and organized.
I want to thank for this effort the Regional Governor, Fanis Spanos, the Mayor, Panagiotis Tagalis, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, my friend Deputy Minister of Justice – MP for Phocis, Yannis Bougas, the President of the State Port Fund, Sophia Anagnostakou, the General Secretariat of Shipping and Ports, as well as all other bodies and services involved. With the General Secretariat of Shipping and Ports and the services of the Ministry, we are trying to put together and push forward projects which, I assure you, are never easy to do. Because there are always bureaucratic problems that take a long time until such a project, such a port infrastructure can be implemented, “he said.
In closing, the minister pledged that there will be care for the marina part of the port, while stressing that the job of a politician is to serve the public interest and by his way, his example and respect for his fellow citizens, to show the way for a better tomorrow.
The upgrading of the port of Itea,which is characterized as a mixed-use port (tourist and commercial activity), strengthens the port as a Schengen gateway, upgrades the position of Itea on the cruise map, creates conditions for increasing traffic and local economic activity and aligns with modern trends in international cruise.
The project will definitively address the problem of the “pothole” approaches and the embarkation of passengers in dinghies and enhance the safety and quality of port services, in conjunction with the implementation of the ISPS system, while at the same time enhancing the functionality and resilience of the port, through the complete deepening of the port basin to -10 m. The new depths will be compatible with the objective of accommodating larger ships and cruise ships, with increased safety and functionality, enhancing the ability to servecommercial and tourism activities. The dredging of the port basin will upgrade the services provided by the port, directly contributing to the improvement of its functionality and the attraction of cargo, the enhancement of marine tourism, as well as the role of the port as a gateway for visitors to Delphi and the wider archaeological and cultural area and, consequently, the economic revitalization of the local community and wider regional development.
