Filenews 21 December 2023 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Council of Ministers took a landmark decision for the re-evaluation of all projects and functions of the Akamas National Forest Park, essentially approving the proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GAAP) Petros Xenofontos.
Essentially, the decision of the Council of Ministers imputes responsibility for the serious errors and significant deviations from the conditions set by the Department of Forests, from which the implementation of contracts for all projects in Akamas is deducted and transferred to the General Directorate of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Also important is the decision of the Council of Ministers to review, by June 2024, the projects related to the road network, as well as the projects related to the management infrastructure nodes and the entrances and exits of the NFP. At the same time, it was decided to continue and complete the administrative investigation until January 15, 2024.
The decision to freeze the projects until at least mid-February 2024 is also positive, when a new proposal is expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers regulating a series of issues deemed problematic during the previous weeks.
Below we record all the decisions taken by the Council of Ministers:
- It does not change and the philosophy of the creation of the Akamas NFP Sustainable Development Plan will continue to be implemented.
- By June 2024, review projects for roads and infrastructure junctions.
- Transfer of the implementation of the contracts for the NFP from the Department of Forests to the Directorate-General for the Environment.
- The existing contract will continue after some of its elements have been evaluated and differentiated accordingly and in accordance with legal procedures.
- Preparation of a new proposal by the Ministry of GAAP by mid-February 2024.
It is noted that the works concern three roads in the Akamas NFP, the construction of which has already begun in November 2022 with an implementation period of 14 months: 1) Toxeftra – White River – Lara, 2) Circular Laras and 3) Toxeftra – Avakas.
It is noted that a long and unjustified delay in the implementation of the projects has been confirmed, with the risk of increasing and extending the environmental burden.
February the new proposal to the Cabinet
The new proposal, which based on the decision of the Council of Ministers, should be submitted within February 2024, regulates the following:
a) Procedures in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Directorate-General for Development, the Directorate of Control (Intermediate Body) and any other party involved, with the aim of transferring appropriations to the Directorate-General for the Environment.
b) Review and re-evaluation of the proposed road network of all phases and part of the road Toxeftra – Avakas – Lipati, by a group of special experts including a representative of ETEK. The review will also include the characteristics of the cross-sections and lengths for milder routing within the forest park.
c) Timetable for the resumption and completion of works at the existing construction site (Road 1 A: White River – Toxeftra – Lara, 2: Circular Lara).
d) Restoration of habitats affected by construction works with compensatory actions and actions.
e) Secondments from the relevant Departments of the Ministry of GAAP for the smooth implementation of the project.
(f) Preparation of a timetable for the implementation of projects of all phases and reassessment of environmental characteristics in accordance with legislation by the Environmental Authority.
g) Creation of a Project Team and recruitment of a Project Coordinator, who will be nominated by ETEK, with the participation of officers from the relevant Departments of the Ministry of GAP.
h) Continuation and completion of the administrative investigation until 15/1/2024.
i) Amendment of any legislation.
