“Opaque photography competitions to explore the canteens and restaurants of museums and archaeological sites in the country”. Current question from the Member of Parliament for New Democracy, Mr. Mario G. Salma
The Minister of Culture referred to the issue of renting drinks stalls at archaeological sites in her introduction Lina Mendonihighlighting that for the first time since 1977 the operation of the former Archaeological Resources Fund, today the Organization for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP), was reorganized and with Law 4,761/2020 the foundations were laid for efficient and transparent management and the developmental management of cultural resources, at the same time that solutions were launched for chronic problems.
“Everyone knows,” said the minister, “not just those who deal with matters at the Ministry of Culture, that there was an extremely problematic situation in the management of the bathing areas at archaeological sites and museums.” Most bars in remote areas outside the city centres were closed, while the majority of the others operated without active contracts, in conditions that insulted the cultural value of the spaces where they operated. There were cases, and unfortunately not a few, in which the products and services offered were of a third world standard.”
“The 66 refreshment stalls, in 2019, the minister said, were closed. In important archaeological sites with many visitors, such as ancient Olympia, Delphi, Akrotiri of Thera, the royal tombs of Aiges, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Acropolis of Lindos, the refreshment stalls were closed, what this means for visitors, especially in summer. The tenants, there are many of them, refused to withdraw the public property that they had seized, as if it were their personal property. A typical example is that 9 refreshment bars, of the few that were open, did not pay €1 and almost all the others paid less than 50% of their obligation. The result was that the amount due to the ODAP in 2019 was €891,878, with what this means for the public interest. So we tried to change this situation.”
The Minister then stressed that when we refer to archaeological sites of great value and cultural infrastructures, we should not limit the public interest to purely economic and revenue-generating elements. “The public interest in major archaeological sites is directly linked to quality and aesthetics. I think everyone can understand that a mass food poisoning caused by soft drinks at an archaeological site has very big implications and consequences for the country, not just for the site.” In 2023, the ODAP carried out a bidding process with more candidates. All the drinks, small and large, were distributed in geographical groups, throughout the territory. Each group included popular halls of different sizes, but also halls at remote and small archaeological sites, which nevertheless had to be operational.
Furthermore, the tender included the installation of water vending machines in 38 locations.
“The objective of ODAP was, said the minister, the participation of companies in the international public tender whose scope ensures the smooth functioning and timely payment of rents. You mention in your question that there was a prerequisite turnover of one million and a positive net worth. Indeed, and was offended by the interested parties who participated in the competition. However, all competent courts considered that it was well done. And in fact, according to the terms of the tender, the turnover was less than the total economic value of the contract for all drinks and vending machines. It is necessary that the contractor, any contractor, has adequate financial sufficiency to be able to finance the operation and continuous supply of fresh products to both refreshment stands and vending machines. The other term – also mentioned in your question – refers to controlling the relationship between equity and liabilities. But it is a common condition in tenders, when the contractor himself is overburdened with renovations and modernizations of the existing infrastructure. I must tell you that to date the contractor has paid more than 2 million to improve this infrastructure.”
Regarding the second competition, the Minister said that it is actually underway, but is delayed because, in February, the suspension of the competition process was imposed. When it is completed – if the Commission decides it should be completed, we will see where it ends up as there is more than one potential contractor.
In her rejoinder, the Minister highlighted that the quality of services and products provided in Museums and Archaeological Sites, precisely because they are these sites, must be high. “If you see the situation that prevailed, she said, addressing the questioning ND deputy, M. Salma, I dare say that in some cases it was a health bomb. The Organization wants to have a contractor, who deposits the rents, and does not owe millions. I must tell you that there are already charges. 5 million for unpaid wages. We want a contractor who can pay, who keeps the restoration areas of Archaeological Sites and Museums clean and exemplary, and who is consistent even with possible complaints from visitors. There have been many complaints in the past about the way individual contractors responded and this was completely unacceptable. It brought to light the image of a Greece that had absolutely nothing to do with this Greece, which we all want.”
The cases in which EADISY spoke out about bids with equity funds were recorded in minutes, as well as a series of photos showing the before and after condition of the refreshment stands.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Diligence:George Koulouvaris
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