Pafos Press 1 September 2025
The Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Paphos Hoteliers Association and the Municipalities of Paphos and Ierokipia are calling for the acceleration of the work on the breakwaters to protect the Paphos and Geroskipou coastline, noting that the project has matured, while they state that it could be announced in October 2026. In the context of a recent meeting of the involved municipal authorities and bodies held in Paphos, they decided to send a joint letter to the President of the Republic.
The project is now mature, the President of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Giorgos Mais, told CNA. The breakwaters will start from the Phaethon Hotel to the Annabel Hotel, he said, adding that all consultations have been held. The Municipalities of Paphos and Ierokipia have reached an agreement with the Department of Public Works, he said, noting that both the competent Minister and the Directorate of Public Works have expressed their agreement that they can tender for the project themselves. There are still some procedures to be completed, such as securing the funds to be able to announce the project, he said, expressing the hope that this will be done by the end of the year. He referred to “several obstacles and labyrinthine procedures” in the course of the project, saying that all problems have been overcome. Initially, the Municipality of Paphos, together with the Municipality of Ierokipia and coordinated by the Municipal Engineer of Ierokipia, had undertaken to “run” the process, but in the process, it became clear that it was not easy to monitor the project due to the lack of experience of the two Municipalities, he said. Thus, “they came into contact with the Department of Public Works, which has the experience” and the request of the two Municipalities was accepted, while the final touches have to do with the Department’s undertaking of the tendering and announcement of the project, he concluded. For his part, the President of PASYXE Paphos, Evripides Loizides, noted that the studies have been completed for both the Municipality of Paphos and the Municipality of Geroskipou, adding that the construction plans for the breakwater project are ready. He also mentioned that the project is mature and according to the information they received from the two Municipalities, the works can be started by the bidder. He said that there may have been a slight delay in making decisions, "but even now is a very good time to proceed with the projects that will benefit Paphos." He also added that they have asked the President of the Republic to expedite the process. Moreover, the Mayor of Ierokipia, Nikos Palios, told CNA that at the meeting held during the week, it was determined that the project is at an advanced stage of maturity and it was decided to send a letter to the President of the Republic for his information, requesting the announcement of the project in October 2026. In the letter, the involved bodies will emphasize that this specific project is of high priority and of supra-local importance and that Paphos should acquire beaches. Those involved are calling for better organization of the beaches, so as to provide safety for bathers.