Palaiometocho protests new petrol station

THE GREEN Party and the residents of Palaiometocho will be staging a demonstration today, against the planned construction of a petrol station in the area. The Greens blasted the petrol company’s move to request tender offers, despite an ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Health on the health impacts for local residents.

“Lukoil (Cyprus) Ltd is moving for the immediate start of work to construct the petrol station at Palaiometocho, when the Ministry of Health, following a court decision, is carrying out a medical investigation on the ten ill children living in the area, and on the adults who have cancer,” George Perdikis, Green Party spokesman said.

According to the Greens, the petrol company has prepared all plans and specifications for the petrol station in Palaiometocho, and has publicised requests for tenders for the station’s construction and for an adjacent car wash.

Meanwhile, the Greens also publicised a letter sent by the General Director of the Ministry of Health to the General Director of the Ministry of Interiors, informing him of the medical investigation, which aims to determine whether the petrol station’s construction will exacerbate people’s health problems. The letter was sent to alert the Ministry of the Interior, which must give its approval before a new petrol station can be constructed.

The demonstration will take place today at 3.15pm at Megalou Alexandrou St. at Palaiometocho.