Possible disciplinary offences by state officials have been recorded in the investigation into illegal intervention in the Akamas, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Wednesday.An investigative officer is expected to be appointed to examine the potential offences. Speaking after the cabinet meeting at the presidential palace, Panayiotou told the press she briefed the ministers on … Read more
A report on the construction work on roads in the Akamas region is expected to be completed soon, with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou indicating it will be submitted to the cabinet by mid-March at the latest. Construction in the area was temporarily halted since November due to environmental concerns and allegations of deviation from the agreed parameters. The National Akamas Forest Plan, allowing construction in certain areas, was initiated in September but faced opposition from environmental groups for violating conditions of the plan. President Nikos Christodoulides expressed annoyance at the deviation from the agreed plans. Contractor Cyfield halted all construction works until issues were resolved. The House environment committee criticized the government’s handling of the situation. Petitions have been filed at the European Parliament’s petitions committee, requesting measures to protect the area’s biodiversity.