Aradippou approves construction to support EEZ

The municipal council of Aradippou, Larnaca, decided in a close vote – seven in favour and six opposed – on Tuesday to approve the building of two factories in the village’s industrial area, which will store, maintain and fix machinery to be used by various gas and oil-drilling companies in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Aradippou mayor Evangelos Evangelides told the Cyprus News Agency that “the majority of the council voted in favour of issuing the permits, but on conditions.”
“If the companies do not accept the conditions, the permits will be suspended,” he said.
Local residents and environmental groups have protested the industries for fear of pollution.
Evangelides explained that although the government has not commissioned a study, the municipality itself commissioned two – one from the Cyprus technological university (TEPAK) and another from the University of Cyprus – which were presented to the public in an open session.
“In broad strokes, both studies set certain conditions and call for precautionary measures, as the treatment these plants will offer may not be as innocent as one might think,” he said.
“However, both studies conclude that the factories may operate under certain conditions,” he added.
During the council meeting, a sit-down protest was held by 50 concerned citizens just outside the Town Hall.
The protesters carried banners that read “Criminals, stop”, “Aradippou=Radiation”, “Do not be an accomplice to the crime”, and “Aradippou will be the new Mari”, and shouted slogans against the convening councilmen.
They also used candles to form the word ‘No’, signalling their opposition to the creation of the factories.
Following the decision, Green party leader Yiorgos Perdikis told CNA that “it is sad that the Aradippou municipality chose to obey the instructions of central government over its own citizens.”
He described the decision a “blow to local government, because it proves that local government has neither the will nor the strength to defend its citizens’ interests.”

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