
Maksuvõlgades Uikala prügila tekitab päästeametile ja keskkonnaametile peavalu
Tax Debt of Uikala Landfill Causes Headaches for the Rescue Board and the Environmental Board
Päästeamet ja keskkonnaamet on hädas Ida-Virumaal asuva Uikala prügilaga. Prügilas on sageli tulekahjud, mis häirivad päästjate tööd. Ettevõttel Ekovir, kes prügilat haldab, on suur maksuvõlg.
The Rescue Board and the Environmental Board are dealing with issues at the Uikala landfill in Ida-Viru County. The landfill often experiences fires, which disrupt the work of rescuers. The company Ekovir, which manages the landfill, has a large tax debt.
Fires often occur at the Uikala landfill. Last year, the landfill burned for nine days. Rescuers had to do hard work. Four rescuers were injured. This year, the landfill has already burned 11 times.
The Rescue Board says that Ekovir is not doing enough to prevent fires. Rescuers have to work long hours to extinguish the fires. The head of the Rescue Board, Janar Kärner, says that the company is not sufficiently responsible.
Ekovir has a large tax debt. It amounts to over 2.3 million euros. The company has not paid pollution tax, value-added tax, or income tax. The interest on the debt is also high.
Janar Kärner believes that Ekovir may be facing financial difficulties. If the company cannot meet the demands, then it should consider whether it should continue to operate at all.
Ekovir announced that they had reached an agreement with the tax authority. The tax authority did not confirm this. On the tax authority's website, the payment schedule still shows zeros.
Ekovir is building a new storage area. Current laws do not allow the Rescue Board to impose sanctions. The Environmental Board has sent Ekovir a directive stating that the landfill must comply with fire safety requirements.
The head of the Environmental Board, Käthlyn Lizdenis, says that they are concerned whether Ekovir can complete the new storage area. Ekovir hopes that the new area will be ready by the end of the summer.
The Environmental Board says that Ekovir has met some requirements. The company wants to get rid of old problems and operate in accordance with the law.
Ekovir has contracts with several municipalities and cities. Competitor Ragn-Sells is critical and is considering terminating the contract. Ragn-Sells says that the Uikala landfill does not meet all the requirements.
Ekovir says that they are trying to find solutions to the problems.