Ormidhia protesters to block road again

THE Dhekelia-Ayia Napa road will be blockaded again today by residents of Ormidhia protesting against government plans to route the Larnaca-Famagusta motorway through their land.

The motorway has been planned for a decade but the start of construction has been postponed three times. A recent cabinet decision to begin construction work foresees that the motorway will be completed by May 2000.

Ormidhia residents are worried that the motorway will eat up their land and they see it as “one more evil” to be added to the list of a nearby base and desalination plant.

They will use their cars to block the road for a second Sunday despite indications that the ministerial decision is final.

A meeting of various Ormidhia community groups decided last week to continue the protests until the government agrees to meet them and hear their concerns about the route of the proposed motorway.

“The reason we are forced to continue this action is because officials refuse to meet us,” said a community representative.