Muhos building inspector says his job is at risk after Google interview

Muhos chief building inspector Jultuz Änwär says the municipality is threatening to end his employment during his probation period, which he believes is retaliation for comments he made to Yle about Google’s data centre project. The municipality denies the interview was a factor, Yle reported, and says the issue concerns his suitability for the role. No formal decision has been made.

Änwär told Yle he would not have agreed to let Google carry out preliminary work under Section 109 of Finland’s Construction Act because the project’s permit processes were still far from complete. He said he started work in Muhos in early August, while his predecessor, building inspector Eero Airaksinen, gave Google consent in June.

Airaksinen had told Helsingin Sanomat that he approved the use of Section 109, which sets out what preliminary work may be done before construction begins. He said he did not know how the matter should have been handled under the law and had felt pressure from all sides. The works at the Muhos data centre construction site were later halted by the Finnish Supervisory Agency, along with similar work at a data centre project in Otanmäki, Kajaani.

After Änwär’s interview, he says technical director Mikko Kari told him that all comments on the Google matter were to be handled by municipal manager Kimmo Hinno. Änwär says Kari told him to resign or face dismissal, took his work computer and asked him to hand in his phone. Änwär said he had believed he was entitled to comment on matters within his responsibilities.

Kari initially confirmed to Yle that the possible termination was due to be discussed as an additional item at a Tuesday meeting of the municipal committee responsible for community services. He said he could not comment further because it was an ongoing personnel matter. Kari denied that any possible termination was connected to Änwär’s interview, but did not address Änwär’s account of the work equipment.

Änwär says he has been concerned about whether the building control department has enough expertise to handle its work properly. He rejects the suggestion that he has shortcomings in his own work.