Old habits die hard as Paphos road needs ‘more studies’

THE prevailing attitude when it comes to getting work done in Cyprus is absolutely unacceptable, Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos said on Thursday after a House transport committee session.

Gobsmacked after he was told that yet another environmental study needs to be undertaken for a 3.5 km road linking Paphos airport, the town’s tourist area and the spot where the marina is set to be built will take another three years, he said “this is unacceptable and what is even more unacceptable is the attitude and approach that exists in this state with the pace at which it works.”

Although everything to do with the project is ready, “the government’s procedures will need another three years from today to have the construction plans ready and call for tender on the project,” Phedonos said.

This, he specified is the third time an environmental study will be undertaken.

“This is the very least, unacceptable.”

It aims to examine whether the road will sink or if it should be rerouted over the sea.

Additionally, it looks to see if birds visit the area “so they study something they studied three years ago. It seems like nothing changes in this country.”

“No one is willing to change something in this place.”

Asked about the birds, Phedonas said at some point the matter was about two eagles. “For over a year, the fate of one eagle is unknown while in the area, there are a number of guinea fowls.”

According to the mayor, this has been discussed for ten years and ironically, a 13km road was completed “but due to the fact a 3.5 km part of it is not ready, it is only used by ten cars per hour.”

It will only be useful if the contested part is completed.

He called on the environment department to speed up the process and offer a final solution by responding as to how the environment could be protected so that technocrats can plan the road.