Government to seek tenders for Larnaca port privatisation in the New Year

COMMUNICATIONS and Works Minister Averof Neophytou yesterday said the government planned to seek tenders after January 1 to turn Larnaca Port into a proper, privatised, cruise-line passenger port.

“We have a reality here,” Neophytou told reporters after discussing the port with Larnaca Mayor George Lycourgos and other of his ministry’s officers.

“The Larnaca Port is closed (at present),” Neophytou said. “Are we going to leave it closed, and the workers with no future?” he asked, “or (will the state) revitalise the ports towards the workers best interest?”

“This specific proposal” – to seek what he called “strategic tenders” privately to redevelop the port as a cruise-line harbour – “is for the workers’ best interest, because it creates new hope for the future of Larnaca Ports,” Neophytou said.

Lycourgos backed Neophytou’s proposal, declaring: “We shall continue to co- operate with the government to find the best possible solution for this port, which is unacceptable as closed.”

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