Filenews 8 December 2023 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Under the microscope of a three-member Investigative Committee to conduct an administrative investigation is illegal fish farming, illegal interventions on state land and the Kouris River and the illegal operation of a catering business and visitor accommodation in the communities of Silikos and Triimiklini.
This decision was taken yesterday by the Council of Ministers under terms of reference to conduct an administrative investigation in order to determine whether there are responsibilities in the design, implementation, licensing and operation of a project in the community of Silikou.
In fact, this is thethird investigation to be carried out concerning illegalities by a private individual by diverting water from the Kouris River and transferring it to illegal fish farm facilities, where fish are bred in special tanks. An artificial lake was constructed, entertainment and event facilities were erected, such as a restaurant, wooden houses for accommodation and sauna rooms.
The investigation by the Audit Office has already been completed and on Wednesday the Special Report on illegal interventions on state land and the Kouris River was approved by the Management Team. Based on the audit process, an advance copy was sent to the competent Ministers of Interior and Agriculture. A copy was sent to the Anti-Corruption Authority. According to the Audit Office, the publication of the Special Report will take place on 13/12/2023.
The Audit Office dealt with the issue in three time periods, from 2015 to 2017, where it found that this fish farm was established and operates without obtaining the required licenses and that no appropriate measures had been taken. The Office had indicated that the license to establish and operate should be suspended or cancelled if there is no immediate compliance with the law, on the basis of guidance from the Attorney General. The Service found that water was indeed illegally diverted from the Kouris River, illegal fish farming facilities, a recreation center and visitor accommodation were built and operated, and part of the development was illegally interfering with state land. It also found that European subsidies were secured in a way that was likely to be fraudulent.
It is noted that on 30/11/2023 the Anti-Corruption Authority announced the appointment of the former President of the District Court, Nikos Yiapanas, as an inspection officer to conduct an investigation into the issue of the diversion of the Kouris River water in Limassol. In particular, it decided to conduct an ex officio investigation in order to ascertain whether, over time, there have been illegalities and/or omissions that give rise to suspicion of acts of corruption on the part of state officials and/or officials. It states that 'the investigation shall cover the entire period during which such effects are detected, a period which at this stage cannot be precisely determined'.
The administrative investigation by the government was deemed appropriate following an audit carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior.
The audit concerned allegations of illegal diversion of water from the Kouris River, construction and operation of illegal aquaculture facilities, a recreation centre and visitor accommodation, illegal interference of part of the development on state land and granting of a licence to establish and operate a fish farm in the community of Silikos in an irregular manner. According to the terms of reference, the administrative enquiry should be completed within two months from the day on which it was instructed.
According to information provided by "F", this Committee will consist of Stelios Michael, head of the Mines Service, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Louisa Malai, cadastral Officer A', representative of the Ministry of Interior and Anna Galazi Iacovou, architect, representative of ETEK, since much of the information is of a technical nature.
