I Am Very Concerned: Avinyan on the Fire in the Nubarashen Landfill

During the operational meeting of the Yerevan municipality, the fire that broke out in the Nubarashen landfill was discussed. The mayor's advisor, Kamo Areyan, stated that the fire was extinguished by the morning of August 9, but the landfill continued to smolder.

“Early in the morning, after your directive, all the resources of the mayor's office were immediately mobilized. The Emergency Situations Ministry transferred its entire workforce and equipment to work at the landfill,” he said, adding that the 12 administrative districts supported this effort without exception for 9 days. “Each day, 20-22 units of machinery operated. It took 9 days to cover the area with soil, and by yesterday, Sunday, the area has been completely covered with soil. In these 9 days, 2450 truckloads of soil were transferred to the landfill. Only small tasks remain, and they are still ongoing,” Areyan said.

Responding to the situation, Mayor Tigran Avinyan stated, “As often happens, we continue to fight the repercussions, but we have had discussions for a long time, various unsuccessful attempts with international programs. However, we have reached a stage where we need to implement a two-stage competition for a new recycling plant, and frankly, I am very concerned that I do not hear what is happening regarding the competition periodically in this environment.”

The mayor also tasked, “Let me put it this way: either the competition will take place by the end of the year, or I will make the necessary staffing decisions because this is one of the most important and challenging issues for the city of Yerevan, and we can no longer afford to delay.” He added, “We cannot wait even one more minute for the competition to take place with a clear final solution and winning organization before the end of the year.”