Pétur Hafsteinn Pálsson urges Þórkatla to lift Grindavík residency ban

Pétur Hafsteinn Pálsson, managing director of the Vísir fish processing company in Grindavík, says the property company Þórkatla has weakened residents’ finances and hindered the town’s recovery. He called on the company to lift its residency ban in an opinion article published in Morgunblaðið, mbl.is reports.

Pálsson said the average Grindavík resident may have lost half their equity after having to buy another home following the evacuation. He said financial difficulties had added to residents’ mental and social challenges, and that many had used up their savings to cope with changed circumstances.

He also criticised pressure on residents to buy back their properties. Pálsson urged Þórkatla to offer homes for rent at cost until the seismic activity ends.

In his view, allowing people to return could improve their health and finances while reducing the state’s losses.