“Opaque photo contests for the operation of canteens and restaurants of the country’s museums and archaeological sites”.. The current issue is the MP of New Democracy, Mr. Mario G. Salma
In his introduction, the Minister of Culture referred to the issue of renting cooling booths at archaeological sites. Lina Mendoniunderlining that for the first time since 1977, the activities of the former Archaeological Resources Fund, now the Organization for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP), have been reorganized and laid the foundation for an efficient, transparent management of the development of cultural resources, at the same time solutions to chronic problems began.
“Everyone knows,” said the minister, “not only those dealing with the issues of the Ministry of Culture, that there was an extremely problematic situation in the management of archaeological sites and museum guest rooms.” Most of the relaxing bars in remote areas outside the centers were closed, and most of the rest were operating without active contracts, in conditions that insulted the cultural value of the areas in which they operated. There have been cases and, unfortunately, not a few, when the products and services offered were at the level of the third world.
“In 2019, the minister said, 66 cooling booths were closed. There are refreshment stops at important archaeological sites with many visitors, such as Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Akrotiri of Thera, Royal Tombs of Aiges, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Palace of the Grand Master, Acropolis of Lindos. were closed, which meant for visitors, especially in the summer. Tenants, many of them, refused to withdraw from the public property they had seized as if it were their own private property. A typical example is that 9 refreshment bars, from several operating bars, did not pay 1 euro, and almost all paid less than 50% of their obligation. The result was that the debt to ODAP in 2019 amounted to €891,878, which means public interest. So we tried to change this situation.”
The Minister then pointed out that when we are dealing with archeological sites and cultural infrastructures of the highest value, we should not limit the public interest to purely economic and revenue-generating elements. “Public interest in major archaeological sites is directly intertwined with quality and aesthetics. I think everyone can understand that group food poisoning from a soft drink at an archaeological site has very big implications and consequences for the country, not just the site.” In 2023, ODAP went through a competitive process with more candidates. All drinks, small and large, were distributed in geographical groups throughout the territory. Each group included popular guest rooms of various sizes, but also guest rooms at remote and small archaeological sites that nevertheless had to function.
“The goal of ODAP, said the minister, was the participation of those companies in the international public tender, whose scope ensures proper operation and timely payment of rents. You mention in your question that there was a premise of one million in turnover and positive equity. Indeed, and he was offended by the interested parties who participated in the competition. However, all competent courts judged that it was well done. And indeed, according to the terms of the tender, the turnover was less than the total economic value of the contract for all refreshments and vending machines. It is essential that the contractor, any contractor, has adequate financial sufficiency to be able to finance the operation and continuous supply of fresh produce from both the coolers and the vending machines. The other term, also mentioned in your question, refers to controlling the equity to liability ratio. But it is a usual condition of tenders, when the contractor himself is burdened with the repair and modernization of existing infrastructures. I must tell you that till date the contractor has paid more than 2 million to upgrade this infrastructure.”
Regarding the second tender, the minister said that it is indeed going on, but it is being delayed because the tender process was suspended in February. When it’s finished, if the Commission decides it should be finished, we’ll see where it ends up because there’s more than one potential contractor.
In his answer, the minister mentioned that the quality of services and goods provided in museums and ancient sites, precisely because they are those places, should be high. “If you see the prevailing situation, he said, addressing the interrogating MP M. Salma, I dare to say that in some cases it was a health bomb. The organization wants a contractor who will pay the rent and not have millions in debt. I must say that there are already imputations. 5 million for unpaid salary. We want a contractor who can pay, who keeps the catering areas of Archaeological sites and museums clean and exemplary, who is consistent even with possible complaints from visitors. There have been many complaints in the past about the responses of individual contractors and this was definitely not acceptable. It brought out an image of Greece that had absolutely nothing to do with this Greece that we all want.”
Cases where EADISY has decided on equity bids are presented in the minutes, along with a series of photographs showing the before and after condition of the refreshment stands.