YEREVAN. – Problems with garbage collection in Yerevan are in no way related to the resignation of ex-mayor Taron Margaryan, Sanitek director Nicholas El Tawil told reporters in Yerevan.

“We are not a politicized company, and we have no links to any politicians,” he said, adding it was a coincidence that problems with garbage collection occurred when Yerevan mayor resigned.

At the same time, El Tawil acknowledged that during the last three months the company did not fulfill its contractual obligations. According to him, the reasons must be sought in the accumulation of existing problems. Over one thousand waste containers were burned causing $700 thousand damage to the company. In addition, about two thousand containers were damaged, that is, about 30% of their total number.

“The municipality fined us for around 25 million drams. We respect this decision, but we ask the mayor to buy containers for this amount and install them in the city, to compensate all the damages,” he added.

In addition, garbage trucks are being damaged because of poor roads near Nubarashen landfill.

“New trucks will arrive in Armenia in coming days, and you will see changes in waste collection,” he assured.

Despite the existing difficulties, El Tawil announced readiness to invest additional $7 million and informed  about talks with Mercedes company to renew the trucks. However, the likelihood of implementation of the investments will be revealed after the election to the Council of Elders of Yerevan.

“We will hold talks with a new mayor, and will make a final decision then,” he added.

Asked about calls of Yerevan mayoral candidates to abandon monopoly in waste collection and to attract the second operator, El Tawil said this would be discussed after the elections.

According to him, the company operates at a loss, and pays 780 million drams in taxes each year. The company employs 900 people and spends 1.250 billion drams on wages.