Filenews 30 April 2022
High on the government's priorities is the implementation of projects that breathe life into areas remote from urban centres and improve the quality of life of residents, said in a greeting read on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos by the President of the Cyprus Ports Authority, Antonis Stylianou, at the 7th Fish Festival organized today by the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous at the Port of Latchi.
As stated in the greeting of the Minister of Transport, at the heart of the announcements of the President of the Republic is the investment in the development of the border areas, within the framework of the broader policy for the improvement of infrastructure and the promotion of development projects, in order to facilitate and serve the citizens. In order to achieve this goal, as the most developmental Ministry, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works manages projects all over Cyprus, with a total budget exceeding €1.2 billion. Long-awaited projects, underlined Mr. Karousos, which, despite the difficult conditions caused by the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, were not postponed and are being implemented for the benefit of society.
One of them is the Pafos-Polis Chrysochous road, a very important development project promoted by the Government, as mentioned, which for decades was a fair demand of the local community and its completion is expected to solve chronic serious road safety problems and give a new character to the region. It is an accepted fact that the lack of a road network was, he continued, a deterrent for the upgrading of the Polis Chrysochous district and put a brake on the interest for investments, hampering the development of the area, it is noted. According to the Minister of Transport, the project is of a total length of about 31 km and will be implemented in two phases, with works for the first phase starting next July with a budget of €86.8 million.
Another important project being promoted in the area is the expansion of the Port in Latchi, he said, a popular quality tourism destination of our country that is a pole of attraction for local and foreign visitors. The aim of the decision to expand the Port is, as he said, the creation of infrastructure for new berths for vessels, with multiple benefits for tourism and the economy of the region. The decision is in the process of being implemented by conducting the necessary study to conduct tenders for the construction. The cost for the project is estimated at €45 million. and will include marine works, new platforms and breakwaters.
Indicatively, other projects that are being implemented or are in progress, at the request of the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, are, he continued, the new bus transfer station in Polis Chrysochous: The works have been completed, with an expense of €59,143 and the station is expected to be delivered and open very soon.
Moreover, the construction of pavements in the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, configurations on the road by the warehouses in Latchi and an elevated pedestrian crossing, for an expense of €155,000.
The construction of a bicycle path-pedestrian street in the area of Polis Chrysochous-Latchi, for an expense of €1.17 million. Also the sponsorship of €71,000 for the construction of shielding against marine erosion on the coastal pedestrian street in Latchi, and the sponsorship of €40,000 from savings for road network maintenance.
In addition to the infrastructure works, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, in cooperation with the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, implements the project for the protection and promotion of archaeological sites in the Municipality. The completion of the project is expected to highlight the archaeological sites of the area and facilitate public access to them, bringing multiple benefits for the economic, tourist and cultural development of the region. For the project, €700,000 has been approved so far by decisions of the Council of Ministers, which are gradually available depending on the progress of the works.
As the Minister explained in his address, with the completion of the road and the interconnection of the area with Paphos, as well as with the other development projects in the area, not only will the residents of Polis Chrysochous and the neighbouring Communities be served more easily, but at the same time a new impetus will be given to the economic and tourist development of the entire region.
In view of the start of the tourist season, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works conveyed in his greeting the estimate that this year's passenger traffic will be increased by 50% compared to 2021.
Speaking specifically about Paphos Airport, Mr. Karousos expressed confidence that tourism activity in the Pafos District will recover significantly after two difficult years, since Paphos Airport is connected this summer with 59 destinations in 21 countries with flights operated by 15 airlines and will gradually exceed 250 per week. Important, said the Minister, is the establishment of the Pafos-Athens route throughout the year, which met the request of the local communities of the Pafos District.
Moreover, Antonis Stylianou, president of the Cyprus Ports Authority in his statements to journalists, welcomed the resumption of the Fish Festival which, as he said, has been institutionalized in the area and which attracts many local and foreign visitors by upgrading and giving a new lease of life to the picturesque harbour of Latchi. Mr. Stylianou noted that, as the Cyprus Ports Authority in cooperation with the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous, they are consulting on the expansion of the port basin of Latchi, stating that at the next festivals the project will be completed. He also said that the government of Nicos Anastasiades invests and with its own policy upgrades border areas, such as the Pafos – Polis Chrysochous road, the expansion of the Port of Latchi and individual projects whether they concern pedestrian streets or local projects.
The Mayor of Polis Chrysochous Yiotis Papachristofi characterized today as a day of celebration in the harbour of Latchi with the organization of the 7th fish festival and expressed his satisfaction for the attendance of the public. The fish festival was given free fish of 1,500 kg to the attendees, salads, soft drinks and this included a music and dance program.
According to Mr. Papachristofi, the 7th Fish Festival with the slogan "From our bottom to your plate", began earlier this week with the Mural Project, with murals / graffiti, while six spots in Polis Chrysochous were embellished as part of it.
From the beginning of the week, in Polis Chrysochous, had been completed landscaping by a group of artists from Cyprus and abroad under the supervision and coordination of 2C Multispace. The project is being carried out, he continued, "in the context of the established Fish Festival that is being implemented for the seventh year and attracts many visitors to the region".
