State considers moving part of Lymbia plant
THE GOVERNMENT is willing to examine the possibility of moving certain parts of the waste disposal plant in Lymbia further away from the community’s residents, the Government Spokesman said yesterday.
The announcement came a day after villagers threw old cars onto the Nicosia-Larnaca motorway, blocking traffic and coming to blows with the police.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, during which Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis informed ministers and President Tassos Papadopoulos on the community’s suggestions that were posed earlier in the day, Christodoulos Pashiardis said: “The government is willing to examine the possibility, from a technical point of view, of moving certain parts of the construction to the same area, provided of course that no dangers are posed to the environment and public health and provided the Lymbia residents are satisfied with such a move.”
The move, according to Pashiardis, could take place up to a kilometre away, but it would remain in the Lymbia area.
He didn’t wish to comment further on which parts of the plant could be moved “in case it is considered or misinterpreted as a provocation”.
”The government’s stance towards the community leader and the representatives of the Communities’ Union is clear and logical. It is now awaiting the Lymbia community’s response,” said Pashiardis.
He concluded, “What is important now is to act cautiously and responsibly”.
Earlier in the day, Sylikiotis had met with Lymbia community leader Sophoclis Savva and a delegation of the Communities Union, during which the latter relayed various suggestions and proposals.
Sylikiotis and Savva later expressed their satisfaction at the “constructive meeting”, while the minister promised to recount the community’s thoughts and suggestions to the Cabinet.
”What I would like to specify is that the dialogue surrounding the creation of the waste disposal plant continues and of course it will continue in the future regarding the development of the community,” Sylikiotis promised after the meeting.
Savva said his community was pleased with the minister’s immediate response and added, “We hope everything goes well and the dialogue continues, because everything can be resolved with dialogue”.
Sylikiotis agreed: “There is no such thing as unresolved problems; there are always options that can be followed through dialogue. To be here and communicate in such a climate, we are one step ahead.”
Dialogue, however, was the furthest thing from Lymbians’ minds on Tuesday, when incidents of violence overtook their protest, in which they blocked off the Nicosia-Larnaca highway and during which Cyprus News Agency journalist Maria Fili was attacked and beaten.
“We do not want to see anything like that again,” Savva said yesterday, condemning his community’s actions. “The incidents were caused by some hot-blooded residents, who did things that do not represent the Community Council.”
