The possibility of moving an asphalt plant in the area of Mitsero, in Nicosia district, will be discussed only after the residents of the area are satisfied with the solution of existing problems that affect their quality of life, as the Government is working with a technical consultant representing the communities of the area, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, announced on Friday after a meeting of representatives of the communities of Vassiliko and Mitsero with the President of the Republic.
In addition, the Minister announced the establishment of a committee to monitor the industrial premises, with a representative of the affected communities participating in it, while a new meeting with the President is planned for October.
Specifically, regarding the meeting of the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, with representatives of the communities of the Mitsero region, Kadis said that it was decided to work closely with the communities and their technical advisor, so that a specific proposal of actions will be taken, to address the existing problems of the region.
“Regarding the possible construction of the asphalt plant, the President of the Republic assured that this will be done if the existing problems are addressed and if the conditions set by the interested parties themselves are met”, he added.
In the case of Vassiliko, the Minister said that it was decided to set up two committees, to monitor the premises of the industries. The first one is for the energy center and has been established by the Ministry of Energy and the second concerns the wider region and will be established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with the participation of a representative of the local communities.
“So there will be a much more systematic surveillance of what is happening in the area”, he said, adding that at the same time the Government will also examine some alternative suggestions submitted by the representatives of the communities in the region, regarding the siting of industrial units and the way the industries operate in the region. “So there will be a meeting in October to take final decisions there as well”, he said.
Mitsero is a village 30km west of Nicosia and Vassiliko is a village 30km east of Limassol. Both areas are highly industrialised. The residents say that this has caused problems affecting their quality of life and thus reacting to any further industrialisation of the area.
Source: Cyprus News Agency