The ceasefire between Sofia mayor Boiko Borisov and Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev lasted just 48 hours after the Government’s emergency team brought former refuse concession holder Novera back into the game.

A day after declaring emergency situation, the Cabinet picked Iskar 2000, Sodos, Construction and Rehabilitation and Transport Construction and Rehabilitation to help handle the city’s waste. Officials said no competitive procedure was held because of the need of urgent action. No financial details were announced, and the Finance Ministry is yet to draw up a "compensation" mechanism.

Sofia city council will hold an extraordinary session on April 13 to decide whether to challenge in court the declaration of an emergency situation in the Bulgarian capital.

Novera’s return met opposition by councilors of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB).

Stanishev said Novera had to be invited back as the other companies had insufficient staff and equipment.

Dimitar Dimitrov, a spokesperson for Novera, said that the company had not received financial details yet, but claimed it would not make a profit.

The eight waste management firms on the municipal side refused to meet up with the Government’s emergency team but Stanishev said their contracts have not been ended so they must do their duties. The Prime Minister was adamant that no long-term deals will be signed with the companies that were invited to help tackle the refuse trouble.

Over the weekend, the municipality and the government’s emergency team raced to announce the number of streets and neighbourhoods that have been cleaned up. According to their reports, Sofia was spotless and illegal landfills were replaced by new trees.

Source: Dnevnik