Residents’ anger at desalination plan
By Leo Leonidou
PLANS for a floating desalination plant off the coast of Pyrgos, in the Limassol district, have been met with outrage by residents of the community.
The Council of Ministers has given the green light for the plant, which is expected to produce 20,000 cubic metres of water daily, and is due to begin operations by May next year.
The plant is said to be a temporary measure until the construction of a permanent plant in Limassol is finalised, by 2010. This will produce 40,000 cubic metres of water every day.
A second unit, in Paphos, is expected to be in place by 2012, with a third, in Famagusta, no later than the following year.
Pyrgos Community Council on Wednesday met with Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Fotis Fotiou where residents outlined their concerns.
Chairman of the council Argyris Evagorou said the decision was taken without even speaking with any of the residents and that local factors, such as the town’s tourism plans, are being ignored.
According to Evagorou, Pyrgos has a three-year plan in place to improve its beaches, which is hoped will culminate in the granting of Blue Flag status.
Following the meeting, Evagorou said the government had ignored their pleas and was hell-bent on proceeding as quickly as possible.
He warned, however, that the community was equally determined to stop any work that would interfere with their tourism plans.
“If any construction work is carried out during the day, we will go and destroy it during the night,” Evagorou defiantly stated.
He said he could not understand why the floating unit was not going to be built at Episkopi, where the permanent plan is due to be built.
Work is due to begin on the temporary unit in the autumn.
The Community Council has called an immediate extraordinary general meeting, where they will discuss how to proceed.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007
Great example of the Banana Republic. Local Government official blatantly admitting he will commit criminal damage!!!! There is no respect for the laws of the land here in Cyprus, whether it be driving, building or just plain annoyance with something. Let's all resort to violence and anarchy