Sienkevych on Yantar’s request to clear the rubbish tip in Mykolaiv

Construction rubble on the site of the destroyed building of the Pedagogical University, photo: archive of ‘NikVesti’

Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych believes that residents who create unauthorised dumps of construction rubble within the city should face punishment, and has urged witnesses to such incidents to call the police.

He made these remarks during a session of the Mykolaiv City Council on 30 April in response to a request from councillor Andrii Yantar to clear one such rubbish dump in the Ternivka neighbourhood, NikVesti reports.

The councillor noted that the unauthorised tip, covering an area of around 1 hectare, has existed there for a long time. He explained that there used to be garages on this site; after they were demolished, the area was partially levelled, but the foundations remained. Construction waste is now being dumped there, resulting in the formation of the unauthorised tip.

«There’s a skate park nearby, and children run around there. About 10 years ago, there was already a tragedy there — a concrete slab collapsed and crushed a person. Children sometimes run there, and it’s dangerous. The thing is, the residents tidied the area up and planted trees to stop cars from driving in, but they still do so,» said Andrii Yantar.

In response, the mayor said that the first priority is to stop the dumping of rubbish.

«Fine. In that case, I ask the Central District Administration to issue a formal instruction and put forward proposals regarding the possibility of blocking the area — a trench needs to be dug there so that vehicles cannot drive in and dump rubbish,» said Oleksandr Sienkevych.

«Firstly, we need to tidy the place up so that it doesn’t pose a threat to children,» replied Andrii Yantar.

«No, first we need to stop people from dumping rubbish there, and then we can tidy it up. Otherwise, it will be a never-ending cycle: we clear it up, they dump more, we clear it up, they dump more,» said the mayor.

He also urged residents to report any violations.

«Residents who are there and see cars driving in need to call the police and report these offences. Because, in fact, reports are then filed against the local council for failing to clear the area. And not against those who create this rubbish — scoundrels, vermin who do not love their city and do not take rubbish to the solid waste landfill or the construction waste recycling site, but pay grey-market hauliers who dump rubbish near their homes. It is these vermin who must be punished,» said Oleksandr Sienkevych.

The mayor proposed considering the possibility of physically restricting vehicle access to this area.

«We need to look into blocking vehicles from entering the area. Of course, we won’t be able to catch everyone there. But the fact remains that first we should investigate this situation to see how we can stop rubbish being brought in, and then we’ll clean it up using the resources of the Municipal Transport Department and additional efforts,» he added.

A heated exchange arose during the discussion between the mayor and the councillor. Andrii Yantar insisted on the need to clean up the area as soon as possible due to the danger to children, whilst Oleksandr Sienkevych dismissed such demands as populism and suggested first obtaining proposals from the district administration regarding further action.

«The danger to children must be eliminated there, because there are still cellars left where a tragedy has already occurred,» said Andrii Yantar.

«I see. What do you want? Please tell me,» replied Oleksandr Sienkevych.

«I want them to level that site and cover it over,» explained the councillor.

«Who levelled it? Tell me what you want,» clarified the mayor.

«Mykolaiv City Council,» replied Andrii Yantar.

«How is the Mykolaiv City Council involved? You’re the city council, you’re a councillor for the Mykolaiv City Council. Are we going to go and level it, or what?» asked Oleksandr Sienkevych.

«Yes, yes, let’s grab some spades and go,» said the councillor.

«This is a job for people who are specially trained and funded for this purpose. That is why I suggested providing the information to the district administration so that they could advise us on what to do next on site. What you’re saying is just populism,» said the mayor.

In the end, the parties agreed to look into the situation further and determine a mechanism for simultaneously restricting the dumping of rubbish and tidying up the area.

«This isn’t populism. I’ve said this twice now, and nothing is being done,» replied the councillor.

«Very well. Andrii Oleksandrovych, let’s set this task and find out, so that we don’t turn this into a personal spat,» said the mayor.