Paphos

Pay As You Throw for 67% of the population

by
Pay As You Throw for 67% of the population

By the end of 2024, Cyprus plans to implement the “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) scheme for waste management, initially covering 67% of its population. The scheme encourages waste reduction and recycling by charging residents based on the amount of waste they produce. The first phase will involve six municipalities, representing 30% of the population, with pricing for waste disposal to be determined through preparatory studies. By June 2024, studies for additional municipalities covering 37% of the population are expected to be completed, with further expansions planned. Preliminary pricing suggests a charge of 6 cents per liter for waste bags. A compulsory waste separation and collection system for recyclables and other materials will be implemented by June 30, 2024. Recycling targets for various materials range from 25% to 85% by 2025 to 2030. Environmental data from 2021 showed a per capita waste production of 633 kg, with a recycling and reuse rate of 15.3%. Concerns have been raised about the impact of fixed charges on households and the need for improved organic waste management. The European directive sets recycling targets of 55% by 2025, increasing to 65% by 2035, and mandates separate collection of specific waste types by set deadlines.

Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

by
Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted the lack of proper equipment, such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, and the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular servicing of equipment. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and expressed concerns about the uncertainty of contract durations. They emphasized the need for year-round staffing, not just during the summer months, and pointed out that in cities like Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca, there are only a few permanent lifeguard positions.

Patrina Taramidou, the interior ministry’s EU policy chief, engaged with the protesters and promised to initiate a dialogue after discussing their demands with the minister of the interior and the ministry’s general director. The ministry had previously issued a statement saying it was evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending the employment months for seasonal lifeguards.

Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards’ protest. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and not advancing the Salamis plan, which he said affects the safety of bathers and lifeguards. He argued that the state does not properly staff public beaches, despite imposing penalties for public swimming pools without lifeguards. Constantinou also stated that establishing a single beach security service, as proposed in the Salamis plan, could resolve these issues.

Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides echoed these sentiments, noting that beaches without lifeguards pose a security risk and endanger bathers’ lives. He referenced the Salamis plan, which outlines the placement of lifeguard towers, staffing requirements, and rescue times to improve safety and potentially save lives.

Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

by
Lifeguards protest for permanent positions, beach safety

Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted a lack of proper equipment such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, as well as the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular equipment servicing. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and faced uncertainty regarding the duration of their contracts. They called for year-round staffing of beaches, noting that some cities have only a few permanent lifeguard positions.

Patrina Taramidou, the EU policy chief of the interior ministry, promised to initiate a dialogue with the lifeguards after discussing their demands with the interior minister and the ministry’s general director. The ministry previously stated it is evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending seasonal lifeguards’ employment duration.

Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and the Salamis plan, emphasizing the safety implications for bathers and lifeguards. He suggested that a single beach security service could resolve the operational issues. Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides highlighted the security risks at beaches without lifeguards, referencing the Salamis plan’s guidelines for lifeguard tower placement, staffing, and rescue times.

ELAM’s ambitions surge amidst turmoil in other parties

by
ELAM’s ambitions surge amidst turmoil in other parties

ELAM, a far-right political party in Cyprus, is making bids for control of two major municipalities, Larnaca and Famagusta. MP Soteris Ioannou is running for Larnaca’s mayoral race, while another MP, Linos Papagiannis, is expected to declare his candidacy for Famagusta’s mayoralty. Michalis Michail is also expected to announce his bid for the position of Paphos deputy mayor. ELAM is also preparing for the upcoming European elections and aims to achieve a double-digit percentage. DEPA, another political party, is also preparing for electoral battles and predicts a percentage of 7.5% or higher.

“Do you have samurais fighting snakes?” -MPs comment on UCY budget

by
“Do you have samurais fighting snakes?” -MPs comment on UCY budget

The University of Cyprus is facing controversy over its proposed budget. Concerns have been raised about the university’s financial sustainability due to projected deficits in the coming years. MPs have highlighted issues such as excessive cleaning costs, exploitation of student housing by external contractors, and alleged politicisation within the academia. The university has requested funds for travel expenses, rentals, legal expenses, and the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute. The Vice-Rector for International Relations, Economics, and Administration defended the budget, stating that external factors and increased operational expenses have impacted the institution’s finances. He also expressed concern about the low provision for maintenance of building facilities and the lack of budget for the Medical School.

Dust levels double in Limassol, overnight yellow alert for rainfall

by
Dust levels double in Limassol, overnight yellow alert for rainfall

Limassol had the highest level of dust in the atmosphere on Tuesday, more than double the safe level. Larnaca also had high levels of dust. The weather service attributed this to a low pressure front and heavy rainfall was expected later in the day. The Department of Labour Inspection urged the public and vulnerable groups to avoid open spaces due to the negative effects of dust on human health. The latest hourly dust concentrations in various areas were measured. The Meteorological Service issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall and continued high levels of dust. The weather was expected to remain unsettled with occasional showers and thunderstorms until the end of the week.

Parliament to probe dropping of corruption cases

by
Parliament to probe dropping of corruption cases

Parliament is set to hold hearings on the termination of disciplinary proceedings against contractors previously implicated in corruption and bribery. Akel MP Irini Charalambidou, who is on the House ethics committee, plans to discuss the matter soon. The Contractors Council, responsible for registering and overseeing contractors, recently decided to end disciplinary actions against companies involved in the Paphos sewerage board (Sapa) scandal. In 2015, the Paphos criminal court found the town’s mayor and several municipal councillors guilty of accepting bribes. Two companies, Medcon and Nemesis, were implicated but received immunity for testifying for the prosecution. Medcon still has an active license with ‘A’ status, while Nemesis is no longer listed under that name. The Contractors Council initiated a disciplinary investigation in 2016 but did not complete it. The new board of the Contractors Council dropped the probe in early February, citing the passage of time and potential abuse of process. Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos has urged the attorney-general’s office to investigate why the disciplinary probe was not completed. The Contractors Council had a damning dossier on the implicated contractors since February 2016. The council’s board is appointed by the cabinet and includes officials from the Public Works Department and a senior state’s attorney.

These are the six chosen ones of the EDEK European ballot

by
These are the six chosen ones of the EDEK European ballot

The Political Bureau of EDEK has decided to form the EDEK ballot for the European Parliament elections. The candidates for EDEK MEPs are: Nikos Anastasiou, Mayor of Polemidia, President of the EDEK District Committee of Limassol; Andreas Apostolou, MP of Larnaca; Pantelitsa Giokka, Philologist; Vivian Kanari, Journalist; Elias Myrianthous, MP of Paphos; and Nicholas Philippou, General Director of PASYKAF. The final ballot will be ratified at the EDEK National Conference on Sunday, February 11th.

They were handing out cash in suitcases in a hotel in Nicosia but… – In the Parliament, the €1m kickbacks for SAPA projects

by
They were handing out cash in suitcases in a hotel in Nicosia but... - In the Parliament, the €1m kickbacks for SAPA projects

The Commission of Institutions decided to examine the reasons why disciplinary cases against two construction companies involved in the bribery scandal of the Paphos Sewerage Board (SAPA) were not tried for eight years. The companies and their executives admitted to being involved in the scandal, but the cases were dismissed due to the delay in their proceedings. The Council of Registrations and Control of Contractors terminated the disciplinary prosecutions. The Mayor of Paphos, Phaedonas Phaedonos, called for an investigation into the reasons why the trials were not completed. The four Councils of Contractors appointed since 2016 were unable to reach decisions on the disciplinary cases. The delay in the proceedings was deemed an abuse of the process, resulting in the dismissal of the charges against the companies and their executives.

Farmers with their tractors outside the House of Europe – See the traffic regulations in the center of the capital

by
Farmers with their tractors outside the House of Europe - See the traffic regulations in the center of the capital

Farmers from various regions of Cyprus will gather outside the House of Europe in Nicosia to protest against the EU's agricultural policies. They will present a resolution to the European Commission and distribute fruits to passing drivers. The police have planned traffic arrangements for the protest. Farmers from the Paphos province will also gather at the Konion roundabout. The farmers' protest is aimed at raising awareness among consumers about the impact of EU policies on agriculture. They argue that production costs are unrealistic, green taxes are imposed on various aspects of farming, and imports from Ukraine and other countries are uncontrolled. The EU is also accused of promoting unfair competition by entering into trade agreements with Latin American countries for the import of agricultural products that do not meet European quality standards. The police have announced traffic arrangements for the protest, and the Lord Byron Avenue in Nicosia will be closed during the event. Traffic facilitation will be provided by the police throughout the protest.