The prolonged stalemate over the development of Larnaca's port and marina is pushing residents into open protest. At an emergency session last Friday, 17 April, the Larnaca City and District Development Committee voted unanimously to launch a mobilisation campaign, following the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works' announcement that the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) is not authorised to submit a development proposal for the two sites.
The decision came as a sharp disappointment to local stakeholders, who had been told in recent weeks by the CPA that an official proposal for the development of the port and marina was being prepared, one that would include development of the surrounding land areas. Instead, the government decided that political decisions on the matter should come first, based on a study commissioned from Greece's Super Fund. That study is expected to be delivered by early May and will identify which land areas are to be released for development.
What the minister has committed to
In its announcement, the Development Committee set out the commitments made by the Transport Minister: that the Super Fund study will be presented by early May, with a clear definition of the square metres available for land development from existing port land; and that within one to two months, a draft comprehensive proposal will be presented, including a preliminary master plan for the port, the land area and the marina, an indicative cost of implementation, a financing scheme involving the Ports Authority, and an implementation timeline.
No more delays, the committee says
The committee was unequivocal in its statement. "After two years since the termination of the contract with Kition without any meaningful progress, there is no longer any margin for further delays," it said. "Larnaca demands and deserves clear decisions, a concrete plan and an immediate start to implementation." The committee declared it remains united and determined to pursue the project forcefully, describing the minister's commitments as a defining moment and insisting they must be followed by a full and complete proposal, "without further ambiguities or postponements." As part of the mobilisation, the committee has decided to hold a press conference with the participation of all local bodies to inform public opinion.