Filenews 31 August 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The government is not backing down on the implementation of the motorway that will connect Nicosia with Evrychou. The goal is for the project to be tendered by March 2026, emphasizes the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis in an interview with "F". He explains that any change in the route will require new designs and new surveys and new land expropriations, with increased costs and substantial delays, therefore a real risk of non-implementation. It stands by the Government's commitment to continue the consultation with the three communities that requested a change of route in order to eliminate their concerns.
Regarding the Polis Chrysochous-Paphos road, the Minister notes that the Council of Ministers reaffirmed the Government's intention to proceed with the implementation of the motorway despite the increased cost and argues that the benefits are not measurable only in economic terms, but take into account the enormous development potential of the area and the upgrading of the quality of life of the residents. The recent suspension of the tender process for Phase A, he said, will soon be discussed before the Tender Review Authority, where he expects a quick re-announcement.
-You have given great importance to the construction of highways that connect the countryside with the urban centers. Can you explain to us why they are a priority for the Government?
-Connectivity in Cyprus is completely dependent on the use of cars. As a result, a good and functional road network upgrades safety and reduces the time spent on health and education services for rural residents. At the same time, it also allows the reverse flow, i.e. easy and quick access to the countryside and villages, which undoubtedly offer quality of life, peace and quiet and are, especially in suburban areas, an attractive option for owner-occupancy in a more sustainable environment. Good connectivity is a key infrastructure for economic growth, boosts trade and tourism and supports the rural economy.
With the easy movement to and from urban centers, where, de facto, better services are developed, the urbanization that threatens our villages with desolation is stopped. At the same time, public passenger transport operates in a complementary way, enhancing road safety and facilitating citizens.
These are therefore critical infrastructures of strategic importance for the country, and that is why they are a priority for the Government of Nikos Christodoulides.
-You met a few days ago with representatives of the communities of mountainous Nicosia to discuss the construction of the highway that connects Deneia with Astromeritis. What emerged from this meeting?
-The meeting took place following two previous meetings: first with the community leaders of Akaki, Peristeronas and Astromeritis, and then in Galata with the participation of community leaders of mountainous Nicosia and MPs, where the Government's decision for a southern route was announced. At the meeting, the reasons for the choice of the southern route (road safety, implementation time) were explained and a suggestion was made by MPs to consider compensatory measures. Over time, public reactions from the three communities followed, which opened a new round of consultations.
The meeting you refer to was attended by representatives of all 45 communities in the region. Everyone's desire for good cooperation and broad agreement was noted that there is an urgent need to complete the last section of the Nicosia to Evrychou motorway. All community leaders expressed great anxiety for the future of their villages plagued by urbanization and expressed the opinion that the completion of the highway will help halt the population decline and support the local economy.
We informed the community leaders that the project was included in the proposed 2026 budgets, the Department of Public Works has almost completed the documents and studies for the tender announcement, while the expropriations are progressing.
The aim is for the project to be tendered by March 2026. Any change in the route will require new planning and new surveys and new land expropriations, with increased costs and substantial delays, therefore a real risk of non-implementation
The reality of urbanization does not allow us the luxury of time and requires rapid action. Every delay exacerbates irreversible living conditions for the residents of mountainous Nicosia.
The result of the meeting was the Government's renewed commitment to proceed with the project, but at the same time to continue the consultation with the three communities in order to eliminate their concerns.
-The tender process for the Polis – Paphos motorway has been suspended. What is your perception of the issue and how do you intend to manage the project?
-The construction of the road from Agia Marinouda to Stroumbi began in May 2021. Our government received a project under execution, which concerned the construction of a two-lane road only, without access from Paphos, but only from Agia Marinouda. It was the first phase of a larger project, which, however, did not have a horizon of full implementation as a motorway and did not provide a connection with the urban center of Paphos, a condition that is crucial for the benefits for which the State invests in such an infrastructure project.
From the beginning of 2024, the Public Works Department observed that the contractor was not proceeding with the works, with the result, by the date the project was to be completed, it had only executed 21%. The Department of Public Works and the contractor were preceded by many consultations. Even after an attempt at an amicable settlement, however, his demands were judged as unjustified by the competent committees. The violations of the contract forced its termination, a difficult decision taken in order to safeguard the public interest, in accordance with the provisions of the contract and the directions of the competent bodies.
By April 2024, the contractor's financial requirements had amounted to €30 million. and asked for an extension of the time of 34 months. By October 2024, these increased to €36.2 million. and a 59-month extension. There was a clear tendency for additional financial claims and time extensions.
It is the obligation of the Contracting Authority, in this case the Public Works Department, to defend the interests of the Republic of Cyprus, as defined in the contract. The department took all permissible legal actions to find solutions to the alleged problems of the contractor, followed the instructions of the Central Committee for Changes and Requirements to the letter and consulted all the competent services of the State, in order to make sure that the management is the legal permissible. Therefore, the termination came after all the margins for consultation and negotiation with the contractor had been exhausted.
I read various announcements that put forward the position that more should be done. However, it is clear that the Government has exhausted all possibilities to find a solution within the framework of legality, something that was confirmed with the assistance of the Legal and Audit Service.
The President of the Republic has announced the Government's intention to proceed with the upgrade of the project, from road to highway. Implementation schedules were set and important infrastructure was added, such as the construction of four lanes instead of only two, access from Mesogi and exit to the area of Marathounta. In this way, the connection of the urban center of Paphos with the motorway is achieved and access is not limited only from Agia Marinouda. Paphos, Polis Chrysochous and the surrounding communities will now be able to look forward to the benefits that the use of the motorway will bring.
The path to completion will not be without problems and difficulties. Repeatedly the contractor raises legal obstacles to implementation. Despite the contractor's claims, the Court in Paphos ruled that the Contracting Authority has the right to access the construction site and continue the project with a new Contractor. And in accordance with this decision, the Council of Ministers reaffirmed the Government's intention to proceed with the implementation of the motorway despite the increased costs, because the benefits are not measurable only in economic terms, but take into account the enormous development potential of the area and the upgrade of the quality of life of the residents.
The recent suspension of the tender process for Phase A will soon be discussed before the Tender Review Authority, where we look forward to a quick re-announcement. At the same time, however, and according to the announced schedules, the preparation of the tender documents for the Polis Chrysochous – Stroumbi section is progressing, thus implementing most of the project. The connection of Mesogi will follow.
-The construction of infrastructure projects is an investment in the future of the country, as they provide the opportunity to develop the economy with multiple benefits for citizens. How will your Ministry manage this responsibility?
-For the coming years and for all projects managed by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the need to implement projects worth more than €2 billion is recorded. The plans of the Department of Public Works already include projects worth about €1.6 billion, while it is estimated that additional values of more than €0.4 billion, possibly more, will result. Cyprus, under the presidency of Nikos Christodoulides, is going through a period of great growth accompanied by similar investment interest. It is the obligation of our Government to continue its prudent economic policy, which, among other things, allows investments in infrastructure that will give future generations the opportunity to produce and enjoy a better quality of life.
Managing projects on such a scale also faces a number of challenges. Funding cannot come only from the state budget, but also through cooperation with the private sector. The Minister of Finance, in his intervention at the 1st University Meeting of the Nicosia District in June, already referred to the possibility and opportunity of cooperation with private individuals in Public and Private Sector Contracts (PPPs). Such an approach also requires a specialized team of projects, something that is already being worked on by the General Accounting Office and the Ministry.
Several of the projects we received were delayed due to a lack of coordination between services. A classic example is the construction project of Phase A of the Limassol to Saitta motorway, where, after the start of the works, new requirements for service infrastructure arose, causing chain delays. The lack of coordination affects not only the timely completion, but also the timing of projects that can, combined, bring greater benefit to citizens. This action presupposes a political direction, which unfortunately has been absent until now. At the Ministry, we are working to close this gap and we seek to substantially upgrade the coordinating role of the Department of Public Works.
Inherited weaknesses in contracts, particularly in the management of public projects by the private sector, which in some cases have led to large projects being shipwrecked, need to be addressed at a legal level. Standard construction and technical contracts will be re-evaluated and, if necessary, revised, also taking into account European standards. Only in this way will contract managers be able to defend the interests of the State in a fair and effective manner.
First and foremost, contract coordinators must operate within the strict limits of contracts and, at the same time, demonstrate willingness and flexibility in resolving problems that arise during the execution of projects.
Coordination – prioritization – implementation
Cooperation between Ministries and competent departments for faster implementation of plans
-You mentioned the importance of coordination between services. How will you achieve coordination between Public Departments that may belong to different Ministries?
-We have activated the coordinating committee of the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Urban Planning and Housing of the Ministry of the Interior and the Department of Public Works of our Ministry. The aim is to establish a priority order for road projects, with technical criteria, in order to implement political decisions. From now on, the studies of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing will be coordinated with those of the Department of Public Works and will also have the necessary funding, since it will have already been approved by the Ministry of Finance. This is an action that will ensure better use of public funds and faster results for citizens.
-Is the operation of this committee your idea?
-No. The idea is not new. This is a coordination scheme that had been implemented in the past. We have put it back into operation, so that the Departments under coordination can take joint decisions in a timely manner and mature projects can be promoted faster, with timely resolution of technical issues and the prevention of delays.
-Will the structures of the Department of Public Works be able to cope with the large number of projects that seem to be progressing for implementation?
-The Department of Public Works has the experience, knowledge and talent to manage large and demanding projects. I believe that through the continuous training that we now offer to executives, especially the project management training that has recently been implemented for a significant number of young engineers, human resources will be strengthened and made more effective.
Projects, however, that will be implemented with contracts for the management or operation of state infrastructure, require separate legal and techno-economic expertise, especially at the stage of "maturation". This idea is being worked on in the General Accounting Office and special quality work can be seen on their part.
-And the new challenges you have in front of you?
-Our country has a window of opportunity in front of it: to implement new infrastructures that will upgrade the daily life and quality of life of the residents, solve problems and strengthen the resilience of our economy. Our Government invests in projects that unite people and regions, reduce inequalities and support development. Our goal is tangible results, with full awareness of the responsibility we have assumed, in order to meet the expectations of our fellow citizens.
