Filenews 8 April 2021
In the last eight years a total of 94 projects have been completed in Paphos, at a cost of €123 million. The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Costas Kadis, said, while another 46 projects are currently under construction or planned, at a total cost of €217 million. The timing of his visit is not accidental, Mr. Kadis said, as part of a tour of development projects in Paphos Province, while expressing his optimism for the next day as, he said, the country is "targeting" the pandemic.
Regarding the projects in Paphos, Mr. Kadis said that of the 94 projects, the 27 projects, cost €62 million. municipalities, 57 projects at a cost of €33 million. Communities and 10 other projects cost €28 million. are works of general interest. "This also enables our economy to start with rapid steps to find its rhythm, to move into the recovery phase, to emerge victorious again from a very difficult period," he added.
Mr. Kadis, who visited the Paphos Desalination Unit in Kouklia to learn about the progress of the project's completion work, said that work on the Unit has been substantially completed and the arrival of the contractor's experts/advisers from Italy is expected later this month, for the project delivery procedures, if epidemiological conditions permit.
He also said that the Paphos desalination plant is the culmination of the efforts of the Department of Water Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, to strengthen water supply from unconventional sources, in all provinces of free Cyprus.
It is, he added, a water project of the utmost importance for tackling water scarcity in Paphos Province, part of the great strategy of upgrading the development infrastructure of Cyprus. In combination with the other units, up to 80% of the drinking water needs of the major urban and tourist areas of Cyprus will be met, meeting to a very significant extent their increased domestic, business, tourist and rural needs, he said.
The Paphos desalination plant, he continued, "will enhance the water supply sources of the water supply system of the city, the surrounding areas and the communities of Paphos, ensuring the uninterrupted supply of water supply". He added that the plant is estimated to contribute more than 5 million cubic metres of drinking water annually.
The project is, he said, implemented by Caramondani Desalination Plants, using the method of private financing, and covers the construction of the project within 18 months and its operation for 25 years.
He also pointed out that the Contract for the Project includes the design, construction and operation - including maintenance - of the desalination plant, with a maximum capacity of 15,000 km/h. In the operating phase, provision is made for a standby of the unit (zero supply) mainly during periods when the system is not required, as well as the possibility of operating the unit in intermediate stages, depending on the available quantities of water in the Dam of Asproremmos.
This work, he continued, is added to a number of other projects that have either been implemented or are being implemented in Paphos and which "create a particularly fertile urban, rural, fishing, tourist and business environment that will certainly contribute not only to the exit from the crisis, but also to the formation of conditions for sustainable development and prosperity".
Indicatively, he said that a total of 46 other projects, totaling €217 million, are currently under construction or planned in Paphos Municipalities and Communities.
He recalled the major road projects, which have already been implemented, such as the construction of the road Paphos - Chrysochous Town cost €87 million, the improvement of the avenues "Evagora Pallikarides", "Greece", "Georgios Grivas - Digenis" and "Neophytou Nikolaidis" in the Municipality of Paphos cost €9.5 million, the second phase of the Improvement Projects of the Avenue "Archbishop Makarios III" in the Municipality of Geroskipou cost €4.5 million, as well as the Avenue "Michalaki Kyprianou" in the Municipality of Pegia cost €2 million.
In addition, he added, the implementation of a large number of infrastructure projects has been launched, among them the creation of a Paphos Dialysis Unit, a modern one with European specifications at a cost of €4 million, which will be completed in the middle of the year.
Mr. Kadis referring to the projects under construction or under construction, noted that there are 24 projects of Paphos Province among them, such as the Implementation of the Plan for sustainable management of the National Forest Park of Akamas amounting to €18 million, the consolidation of the archaeological sites of Kato Paphos, the construction of the Health Centre of Geroskipou, as well as road projects such as the first phase of construction of the northern bypass road Geroskipou and the road connecting the centre of Geroskipou with the tourist area of Geroskipou Municipality.
The 94 development and infrastructure projects cost €123 million. already completed, have changed the character of the city and province of Paphos, he said, noting that together with its tourist character, they offer many prospects for further improvement and development.
For example, he referred to the completion of the renovation project of the traditional shopping center and the square "Kennedy" in the Municipality of Paphos at a cost of €7.5 million, the extension of the Court of Paphos and the upgrading and promotion of the "Markideon Theatre".
It is obvious, continued the Minister of Agriculture, that the projects carried out in Paphos are constantly changing its image and improving the daily lives of its citizens. He also assured that the aesthetic and functional improvement in the city will continue, further enhancing the local economy and the well-being of the residents.
Mr. Kadis said that several of the above mentioned projects will also facilitate our farmers Paphos Province, with whom he met afterwards. He recalled that over the past year more than 30m have been announced, with a budget of €20m, with the aim of enabling the country's rural world to cope with the effects of the pandemic.
Today he said "we will inform the farmers of Paphos Province of two new measures to further support them" saying that this is the Green Harvest Measure that will support the winegrowers, with a budget of €1.7m. as well as the Low Altitude Deciduous Tree Growers Support Measure, with a budget of EUR 400 000.
The Minister then visited the Community Council of Timis, where he had a meeting with representatives of farmers from the Communities of Timi, Anarito, Mandria and Kouklia. Scheduled meetings were also held at SEDIEP Argakas for contacts with representatives of farmers from Argaka, Polis, Poimos and Agia Marina. Afterwards he will meet in Tsadas Square, with representatives of farmers from Tsada, Letybou, Sttos, Kalepeia, Panagia and Koili.
He is also expected to visit SODAP in Stroubi where he will meet with representatives of farmers from Stroumbi, Polemi, Drymos, Psathi, Drynia, Simou, Agios Dimitrianos and Cannaviou. The last stop of his tour is the Community Council of Drousia, where he will have a meeting with representatives of farmers from Drousia, Inia, Aros, Kathikas and Kritos Terra.
Eyenews/AFP
