Filenews 20 May 2024 - by Dora Christodoulou
The development of the first phase of the Pafos-Polis Chrysochous road construction project was described as worrying by the President of the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, George Mais.
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 more unpleasant developments that will freeze or further delay the construction of the project, he stressed, appealing to the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, as well as to the contractor to come to the negotiating table with goodwill. in order to find a mutually acceptable solution, always within the framework of legality.
The project is considered by the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be of vital importance for the province and especially for the geographical district of Polis Chrysochous, said Mr. May. Any further delay or suspension of work cannot be accepted, he added.
As Mr. May mentions, following a briefing received by the Director of the Department of Public Works, during the meeting held at the construction site of the Kallepia area at the invitation of the House Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Works on Friday, April 12, the project amounting to € 75 million. According to the initial planning, it should be completed by next November, "which, however, is unfeasible, as so far only 30% of the project has been completed."
"The contractor has submitted a request to extend the completion time of the project for a period of 33 months. The request is before the Central Committee for Changes and Claims," he said, adding that it is obvious that "there are serious financial and other claims on the part of the contractor as well as technical problems that lead the project to deadlock."
Regarding the second phase of the road, from Stroumbi to Polis Chrysochous, Mr. Mais reiterated the position of EBEP, that it must be disconnected from any delays recorded in Phase A and Phase B should proceed according to existing announcements.
"We have suggested to the competent Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, to immediately begin the maturation procedures of the project, starting from Polis Chrysochous to Stroumbi, dividing the project into two sections, in the hope that the procedures and construction works will run quickly," he added.
This, May continued, would be a solution that would help give time to overcome some environmental problems that have arisen in the Skoulli area. The competent Minister assured the Pafos Chamber of Commerce and Industry that they will also examine this possibility so that the project does not remain in words, he said, while he said that they are closely monitoring developments, as well as timetables and will not tolerate any more objections, objections and delays.
