AKEL supports the demands of the Forestry Department employees

 

10 December 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

AKEL supports the demands of the Forestry Department employees seeking the strengthening the Department. The fires of both 2016 and last July demonstrated the huge understaffing problems they are facing.

It is unthinkable in 2021, in a country which is suffering from desertification and the phenomenon of fires has increased, to discuss whether or not there is a need to strengthen the Forestry Department.

The people of the Forest Department are the frontline people in such events and have our full support and sympathy.

The government must at long last realise that the protection of our forests is not an issue of costs, but rather and investment and indeed our duty.  The 10 posts announced by the Ministry of Finance a short while ago are 10 posts for staffing the flight unit. In addition, the hourly staff, in order to be able to carry out their duties, need additional staff who will be responsible for their training and organisation, namely Forestry Officers.

The government and the Ministry of Finance must stop treating such an important issue frivolously.