Octavian Berceanu accuses Diana Buzoianu of failing to combat illegal waste burning around the capital

Octavian Berceanu, former head of the National Environmental Guard, criticizes Diana Buzoianu, interim minister of the Environment, Water and Forests, accusing her of failing to take effective measures against the illegal burning of waste and cables in localities around Bucharest.

In a Facebook post, Berceanu claims that responsibility for combating these activities was transferred to the prefectures of Bucharest and Ilfov, although, in his view, environmental institutions should coordinate the interventions. He accuses the ministry’s leadership of a lack of responsibility and refers to the existence of networks that allegedly control illegal burning.

The former general commissioner published two photographs that he says were taken near the capital. One allegedly shows a cloud of smoke resulting from the burning of cables in Bolintin, while the other shows a waste and cable fire in Bălteni, Dâmbovița County, near a Butan Gas depot. Berceanu says black smoke was also observed in Sintești.

He claims that pollution in Bucharest and Ilfov generates annual economic costs of approximately six billion euros and has serious effects on public health. Berceanu also criticizes the lack of changes at institutions such as Romsilva, the Forest Guard, Romanian Waters, the National Environmental Guard, and the National Agency for Environment and Protected Areas. His allegations were not accompanied, in the information presented, by a statement from the environment minister.