Government slammed for ‘pathetic’ coordination in Akamas
Contractor Cyfield announced that it would be stopping all works on the road network in the Akamas peninsula as of Wednesday until all issues are settled, while the government was heavily criticised as “pathetic” for being unable to coordinate.
Speaking at the House environment committee, the founder of the company Kyriacos Chrysochos said that all works would stop, so that all problems could be overcome, and the project can be completed without further financial burdens.
The road works in environmentally sensitive Akamas have come under fire in recent weeks, with environmental organisations complaining of violations to the Akamas National Forest Plan.
The organisations had said that the roads had been widened more than what was foreseen in the plan, by 10 metres instead of six metres and unnecessary retaining walls had been built, amongst other violations.
On Tuesday the Environment Department and the Game Fund both officially acknowledged that that there had been violations, and this was after the audit service, who visited the area last week agreed.
However, they have been contradicted by other state agencies including the Forestry Department and interior minister.
On Wednesday, after announcing the complete stoppage in the works, Cyfield’s decision was welcomed by the members of the House committee and the other attendees, which included members of the agriculture ministry, the forestry department, the interior ministry and the environmental groups.
Speaking after the meeting, Xenophontos said that President Nikos Christodoulides had also called for the works to stop, following images that surfaced showing the purported violations.
He added that there is an administrative investigation going on since Monday, which is due to be completed next Friday.
Commenting on the works and the planning, he said that he is also unhappy with what he has seen and heard. He added the works will be re-evaluated that considers the sensitivities of the area.
Also present at the meeting and weighing in on the administrative investigation, auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides slammed the agriculture ministry’s choice of investigator, as the individual is an officer seconded from the forestry department, which had previously claimed there were no deviations in the works.
He added that also during his site visit to the area, aside from the road widening violations, there was also a new road created from Lara beach, which was also a violation.
Speaking after the session the deputy head of the committee, Akel MP Nikos Kettiros said what became clear during the meeting was “the lack of coordination between state services”.
“You could even say it was pathetic, as if it is not the same government and everyone is saying their own thing and blaming the other,” he said.
He added that some were saying they agreed with the plan, while others were then saying they had different opinions. He accused the government of not knowing “right from left”.
“The contractor came today, luckily by himself, and said he was stopping the works to facilitate the investigation, which we hope will end as soon as possible,” he said.
He added that they want a “simple thing” which is to secure the protection of the environment and the Akamas national forest park.