Representatives and residents of the eight communities directly affected by the planned installation of an asphalt plant in the Mitsero area are expected to gather outside the Supreme Court on Monday. The proceedings concern a request for the suspension of the works.
A protest was held on Sunday morning on the Agios Ioannis–Kato Moni road, with residents and members of the “Communities in Action” initiative calling for a suspension of work on the relocation of the asphalt plant from Tseri to Mitsero.
The protest took place at the site where work on the installation of the plant has already begun. The eight communities directly affected are Mitsero, Agrokipia, Malounta, Arediou, Agios Ioannis, Kato Moni, Orounda and Meniko.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Agrokipia Community Council President Sotiris Kyriakou described the protest as a “great success”, noting that “there were quite a lot of people” and that it was held peacefully.
“All the messages we wanted to convey were delivered,” he said, thanking the Police for ensuring the smooth movement of traffic and the media for attending.
Mr Kyriakou said the area is already heavily burdened by a range of activities and expressed his strong opposition to the installation of another nuisance activity.
He said there are already several quarries operating in the area, while there are “more than 100 nuisance developments”, including livestock and poultry units, as well as slaughterhouses.
He also referred to an earlier request by the communities for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant which, he said, could also generate energy. He argued that although more than €30 million in funding had been approved, the project never reached maturity.
“No state official was interested in carrying out the programme and developing the project so that this plant could be built,” he said, arguing that such infrastructure could help to “decongest” the area.
The Community Council President expressed serious concerns about air quality and the potential impact of the asphalt plant's operation in an area that is already heavily burdened.
“Here, the closed-type plants, just so you know, operate at temperatures of 160 degrees,” he said, questioning whether the proposed solutions could be effectively implemented under Cyprus’ climatic conditions.
He further argued that residents are already experiencing problems from dust and odours and expressed fears of further deterioration once the plant begins operating.
“The particles they contain are highly carcinogenic,” he said, adding that, combined with the dust already present in the area, “it creates a poisonous mixture”.
He linked residents’ concerns to the health of children in the area, saying that “we are stopping the future of our children”.
“If we do not react and if we allow them to go ahead, we are criminals,” he said, adding that those “serving vested interests” are, in his view, responsible for the situation.
“We expect the suspension order”
Regarding the proceedings before the Supreme Court, Mr Kyriakou said he hoped an order would be issued suspending the works, allowing time for dialogue with the government.
“We expect the order suspending the works to be issued,” he said.
As he explained, the aim is for the works to be suspended and for a meeting to then be held with the President of the Republic, so that the communities can present the problem “in the scale in which it exists”. “I believe the President will understand the problem,” he said.
The community representatives are awaiting confirmation of a meeting with the President of the Republic. He said the meeting has already been arranged in principle, but no specific date has yet been set.
Asked whether he was optimistic about the decision, he replied: “I am very optimistic. Because we have justice on our side.”
He argued that, in his view, the relevant authorities had failed to do what was necessary before the decision was taken to relocate the plant.
Residents, he said, will be outside the Supreme Court on Monday during the proceedings, which are expected to begin at around 10.30am. “We will certainly be outside the courts,” he said, noting that the communities would continue their protests.
He added that a possible appeal to the European Court is also being considered, although he noted that the proceedings before the Cypriot courts would first have to be completed.
Next step is meeting with the President
Referring to the next step following the protest, the Community Council President said that the priority is a meeting with the President of the Republic.
“Certainly, the next step is the meeting with the President,” he said.
The communities are waiting for the date of the meeting to be set, which could take place either this week or next week. “We are waiting,” he said, reiterating that the suspension of the works is a basic prerequisite for meaningful dialogue.
Source: CNA
