By decision of the Municipal Council of North Corfu, the establishment of a Small Ports Management Office is underway, with the aim of upgrading, safety and efficient use of the small port facilities located within the boundaries of the Municipality. This decision comes to respond to a timeless need, as the ports and fishing shelters of the region, although particularly important for the local economy and tourism, present serious deficiencies in infrastructure and coordinated management.
During the presentation of the issue to the municipal council, the deputy mayor Mr. Nikolaos Chirdaris stated that the Municipality of North Corfu has important small ports, such as Kassiopi, Sidari, Agios Stefanos Sinios, Astrakeri, Nisaki, Kouloura and Roda. These facilities serve multiple needs: from tourism and fishing to maritime transport. However, in several cases basic services are missing, such as water and electricity supply, adequate lighting, systematic cleaning and security measures. At the same time, there is no institutionalized management body that assumes overall responsibility for their smooth operation.
Mr. Chirdaris pointed out that the current legislation enables municipalities to establish special management offices, so that there is a unified and professional approach to issues concerning small ports. Through the operation of such an Office, the Municipality will be able to more effectively utilize the fees and revenues from the use of port infrastructure, seek and secure national and European funding, protect the environment and the coastal zone, and also cooperate closely with the Coast Guard, the Corfu Port Authority (OPA), the Ionian Islands Region and other competent bodies.
The establishment of the Office is considered of strategic importance, as it can constitute an important development tool for North Corfu. The existence of an organized management mechanism will enhance the prospects of nautical tourism, contribute to the sustainability and modernization of port infrastructure and create new possibilities for financing infrastructure and maintenance projects. In addition, it will allow for a direct response to security and daily operation issues, without delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
The new service will be included in the upcoming amendment of the Municipality’s Internal Service Organization (IES), in order to clearly define its responsibilities, staffing and operating procedures.
According to the decision, the new service is not limited only to meeting existing needs, but also aims at the long-term development of North Corfu, strengthening the local economy, upgrading the quality of life of residents and making the small ports of the area a pole of attraction for visitors and users of marine vehicles.
