Filenews 15 February 2025 - by Vassos Vasilliou
Projects worth millions of euros were cancelled, some were implemented with delays and others inflated costs, although there are also those that seem to have been built at a lower cost.
Some of these projects have been or are being implemented by large companies.
Data on the above are included in a list of hundreds of projects, costing hundreds of millions, which have been or are being implemented under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior or its services or even by local authorities. The Department of Public Works, as contracting authority, had or has the monitoring of several projects.
The list concerns the period 2010-2024 and was prepared by the Ministry of Interior following a relevant question by MP Nikos Kettiros. Of the long list, which lists hundreds of projects, the most expensive (in terms of construction) and which has been completed is that of Eleftheria Square in Nicosia with an initial cost of €16 million and which is estimated to have exceeded €40 million. The project began to be constructed by Miltiadis Neophytou in 2011, and was then assigned to Lois Builders Ltd, which is also found in other projects in the catalogue.
The largest project on the list, with a budget of €101 million. concerns the upgrading of the accommodation center (for foreigners) "Limnes" and is implemented by the consortium CYFIELD – IACOVOU. These two companies also undertook the execution of major projects on the list.
In some of the projects on the list, the contract was terminated, but nevertheless the contractors who left them in the middle, appear to be carrying out other public works. In some of the projects on the list the amount of the initial contract has been increased, in fewer of them the final cost is reduced, although the final bill has not yet been clarified. Other projects were delayed in implementation. Others are still under implementation, but taking into account the work carried out and the time remaining to be completed (based on the timetables of the contract) it also seems that they will experience delays.
Among the companies that appear in different projects of the catalogue are: CYFIELD, IACOVOU BROTHERS, Lois Builders Ltd, A. ARISTOTELOUS, C. ROUSHAS TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT LTD, MILTIADES NEOPHYTOU, STELIOS KOUNNA BROS LTD etc. Dozens of other companies are included in smaller category and cost.
Mr. Kettiros told "F" that the list of projects will be examined and, as he estimates, useful conclusions will emerge regarding management, contractors, delays and so on.
We divided the hundreds of projects into categories and from them we selected some more characteristic cases, which are presented below.
Projects whose initial costs have increased
> Redevelopment of Eleftherias Square and the Surrounding Area – Phase B' (2014-2020). Under the phase B contract, the cost would be €16,071,244. (For phase A, a contract of €23 million had been signed, but the project was left in the middle and its implementation was assigned to Lois Builders Ltd). Contracting Authority: Nicosia Municipality.
> Agios Ilarionos Avenue in Nicosia Phase A: Section from the junction with Kantaras Avenue, at the roundabout next to the Bata factory, to the junction with Kennedy Avenue at the roundabout next to the SOPAZ factory. Initial contract cost €5.262.400,00. Final construction cost €7.426.745,53. It was implemented by the company NEMESIS CONTRACTORS with the Department of Public Works as contracting authority.
> Germasogeia Bypass Road (Phase A'). Under construction since 2019. Initial contract cost €7.200.000,00. So far, an amount of €9,793,886.23 has been paid. It is implemented by the company MAKIS SAVVIDES AND SONS (CONTRACTORS) LIMASSOL LIMITED with the contracting authority of the Department of Public Works.
> Construction of a road of primary importance to Pafos Airport (Phase B). Construction of a connecting road between CTO roundabouts and Spyrou Avenue Kyprianou in Geroskipou during the period 2018-2019. Initial cost based on the contract €856.774,06. Final cost €1.502.764,35 which is almost double the estimated cost. It was implemented by C.M. KOKIAS & SONS LTD, with the Ministry of Transport as contracting authority.
> Solving the problem of subsidence, retreats and ruptures of the soil in the area of Limnes in the Community of Pissouri in the Limassol district – PHASE A: Installation of a pile line by CYBARCO CONTRACTING LTD in the year 2021. Initial cost €5,812,700. Final cost 7,143,049.
Projects whose initial cost has been reduced
> Redevelopment of Kyriacou Matsi Street in Nicosia (2019 – 2021). Initial contract amount €3.084.540,93. Final construction cost €2.528.383,83. It was implemented by the company KEDRIS CONSTRUCTIONS LTD & HATSICHRISTOFI CON LTD, with Nicosia Municipality as contracting authority.
> Athienou West Bypass (2011-2013). Initial estimation cost €3.107.908,8. According to the preliminary cost, the expenditure will close at €2,671,055.31. It was implemented by the Department of Public Works (direct labour).
> Improvement of the main road Ayia Napa – Paralimni – Deryneia. (1st April Avenue in Paralimni and Eleftherias Avenue in Deryneia). Implementation 2009-2011. Contract cost €12.955.670,00. Final amount €12.264.730,70. Joint venture Lois Builders Ltd / Phoenix Construction Ltd / Ergodynamics Patras. Contracting Authority, Department of Public Works.
>Construction of a road of prime importance from the southern Pafos bypass to Apostolou Pavlou Avenue in Paphos and up to the road to Coral Bay (Tombs of the Kings Avenue). Implementation 2013-2016. Contract cost €12.370.217,45. Final amount €10.579.328,44. Joint venture of Stelios Kounnas Bros Ltd. Monitoring, Ministry of Transport.
In progress, whether they are running on schedule or delayed
> Improvement of Larnaka – Dhekelia – Phase C coastal road (from the Nautical Club to the junction to Pyla). Under construction. Start of works 16/09/2022. Date of completion of works 17/03/2025. Initial contract amount €17.657.220,00. So far, €7,799,024.25 has been paid, less than half). IACOVOU BROTHERS CONSTRUCTIONS Ltd. Contracting Authority, Department of Public Works. Theoretically, it is delivered within March.
> Regeneration of existing roads in the centre of Aradippou (2015-2016). Implemented. The amount of the final bill is pending. Initial contract cost €1.543.460,3. Final contract cost €1.122.011. STELIOS KOUNNAS BROS LTD & C. ROUSHAS TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT LTD. Monitoring, Department of Public Works.
> Improvement of Deryneia-Sotira road. Under construction. Start of works 26/08/2022. Completion date 25/02/2025. From the amounts paid, it appears that the project is delayed. Initial contract €15.907.088,00. So far, €8,579,336.04 have been paid. Εταιρεία Lois Builders Ltd – Wade Adams Contracting (Cyprus) Ltd JV. Monitoring, Department of Public Works.
> Upgrade of the accommodation center "Limnes". Timeframe: 01/07/2023 – 31/08/2025. Cost indicator €101 million Cost indicator for 2025 €9 million The project is in full swing. By the end of November 2024, total construction costs have covered about 40%. There are a few months left, but the payments show that the project is delayed. Company CYFIELD – IACOVOU (MN) JOINT VENTURE. Monitoring Department of Public Works.
