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 diversion has been put in place near the Ayios Dhometios crossing point in the north as the first roundabout after the crossing point will be closed for roadworks on Saturday and Sunday. Routes to Morphou, Kyrenia, and Famagusta will be accessible through the usual road.
The need for civil society organizations to act as environmental watchdogs remains urgent, as recent revelations have shown violations of environmental conditions in the Akamas area. The scandal involved roadworks that ignored environmental conditions, and the Forestry Department was supposed to oversee the project. The Water Development Department had warned about violations a year before environmental NGOs raised the alarm. Additionally, efforts are being made to protect Griffon vultures from extinction, with poison baits and power line collisions being major threats. Despite efforts to persuade the Electricity Authority to make infrastructure safer, losses of vultures and eagles continue due to collisions and electrocutions.
The Environmental Movement of Cyprus is calling for those responsible for the destruction of Akamas to be held accountable for their actions. They are demanding the immediate publication of the latest investigation into illegal interventions in Akamas and are urging President Nikos Christodoulides to make the findings public and name those responsible.
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.
A sum of 900,000 euros has been invested in the last phase of upgrading and improving roads in Dherynia, as announced by the municipality. The money includes a donation from former transport minister Yiannis Karousos. The investment will cover paving works for approximately nine kilometres, affecting about 60 roads in the area. By the completion of this phase, the municipality will have spent a total of €2.2 million on road works since 2017. The current project is experiencing delays due to ongoing road paving between Dherynia and Sotiras and a pending government aid request for road improvements between Dherynia and Frenaros.