Filenews 18 April 2024
The progress of the first phase of the Pafos-Polis Chrysochous road construction project is worrying, according to the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
As stated in an announcement, after being informed by the Director of the Department of Public Works, Eleftherios Eleftheriou, the project, amounts to € 75 million. According to the initial planning, it should be completed by next November, which is unfeasible, as so far only 30% of the project has been completed.
In addition, the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry was informed that the construction company is seeking compensation amounting to €22 million, citing issues related to material increases due to the effects of the war in Ukraine, the delay in moving EAC pylons, the lack of satisfactory aggregate disposal sites, the unsuitability of aggregates, etc.
The Department of Public Works rejects the vast majority of the contractor's demands and assures that from the beginning of the project it is in daily contact with the company's engineers and makes every effort to resolve the problems and obstacles that appear.
The contractor has submitted a request for an extension of the completion time of the project for a period of 33 months and the request is before the Central Committee for Changes and Claims, as noted by the Pafos Chamber of Commerce.
Based on the above information, it is obvious, it is added in the announcement, that there are serious financial and other claims on the part of the contractor and technical problems that lead the project to deadlocks.
The Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry expresses the hope that a way will be found to resolve the disputes between the parties quickly and that there will be no other unpleasant developments that will freeze or further delay the construction of the project.
It also appeals to the executive, in particular the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, as well as to the contractor to come to the negotiating table with goodwill, so that a mutually acceptable solution can be found, always within the framework of legality.
As mentioned, the project is of vital importance for the district of Pafos and especially for the geographical district of Polis Chrysochous, and any further delay or suspension of works cannot be accepted.
It is noted that the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended a meeting at the construction site of the Kallepia area, following the invitation of the House Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Works, on Friday, April 12, in the presence of the Director of the Department of Public Works.
