Alekos Dessyllas studied Civil Engineering at the University of Padova, Italy and holds a Doctorate in Hydraulic Engineering. He served for many years as an engineering projects supervisor at the prefecture of Corfu. He has been elected in the constituency of Corfu for 2 terms as a member of the Greek Parliament, has participated in the Local Government (Prefecture of Corfu) and held the position of the managing director of the Corfu Port Authority, SA. Now he is participating in the May 2014 elections for the Council of the Ionian Islands Region, heading the ‘Movement of Eptanesian Citizens’.
What prompted you to pursue the position of Head of Ionian Islands Region?
The outgoing Regional Authority, which was headed by Spyros Spyrou, a medical doctor, lacked the specialized knowledge and relevant experience in planning, financing and implementation of major development projects. This resulted in the Region of Ionian Islands taking the last position among the 13 Regions of the country in terms of utilising EU funds under the NSRF, Community Initiatives and other programs .
In these difficult economic and political times for our country we need rapid development of our region and the creation of new jobs. I could not remain indifferent and inactive to the lack of initiatives for these requirements. No effective use was made of the available funds for basic infrastructure, and the opportunities offered by the global market for financing through the internationally accepted concession contracts known as “Build Operate & Transfer” (BOT) were not taken.
Do you think the Eptanesian People will trust you and will vote for you?
Yes. I absolutely believe this. My past contribution to the administration and management of public affairs gives the electorate the chance for a positive assessment. I think that my experience as a technocrat and politician and my European culture guarantee for me.
I was appointed manager of the Corfu Port Authority company and in my five years service I took it out of the red transforming it into a profitable business with an average annual growth rate of 18.46% and doubling of its turnover. The shipping Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis stated at the Greek Parliament that “the Corfu Port development plant should be a model for the development of all the ports in our country”.
Two safety tests by Inspectors of the European Commission were carried out with absolutely positive outcome. In 2009 EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner publicly stated her pleasant surprise about the progress of utilisation of EU funds for the deliverance of basic infrastructure projects.
The successful implementation of security measures, operational and administrative interventions resulted in the huge growth of cruise ships visiting Corfu and gave a significant boost to the local economy.
I believe that my role in upgrading the international port of Corfu into a safe, modern and profitable facility will be seen positively by Eptanesian People. Finally I would like to mention that, during my tenure as a parliamentary representative of Corfu, I tried to strengthen the unity of the Ionian Islands and the development of our region. I compiled and submitted a special development program for all the islands in the region, aiming at alignment of the tax regime in our region to that applicable to the Aegean Islands. It was received favourably, but there has been no progress on this since. I intend to pursue this again as a regional demand due to its very significant implications on the competitiveness of our tourism industry and the growth potential for our islands.
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