AKEL visits Vasilikos Cement Factory and meets the heads of the region’s local communities

 

25 July 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

An AKEL delegation today paid a visit to the Vasilikos cement factory and then held a meeting with the local community leaders of the region.

During the visit to Vasiliko, AKEL was informed about the operation and procedures followed at the cement plant for the production of fuel from solid waste. During the meeting with the local community leaders, the issues of safety and protection of the communities and the environment were raised once again.

The meeting coincided with yet another fire at the Pendakomou Waste Management Authority (OEDA). We have repeatedly expressed our concerns and worries about the issue of the proper functioning of the OEDA, which, unfortunately, have been confirmed.

The local communities once again expressed their concern about the continued issuance of permits for new industries in the area and there was a commitment made that after the acceptance of the energy centre, no more would be granted. The communities demanded that the commitment to no more nuisance industry permits outside the limits agreed for the area be honored.

Regarding the Pendakomou Waste Management Authority, which we visited, we point out once again the problem of poor planning and the failure of the government to manage waste issues, resulting in incidents such as the one we are facing today. At the same time, citizens are paying for the government’s callousness since the practices followed are illegal and we are bearing the burden through the fines imposed by the EU.

AKEL will stand by the communities until their demands are met. In addition, AKEL will call for a comprehensive environmental impact study to be carried out for the area and we will refer the issues to the relevant Parliamentary Committees. Our aim is to provide solutions to the problems that plague the area. We call on the government to take responsibility and take substantive measures on the problem.

The meetings were attended on behalf of AKEL by Andros Kafkalias, member of the C.C. and MP, Andreas Pasiourtides, MP, Christina Nicolaou, Head of the Energy and Environment Sector of the Central Committee of AKEL, Renos Georgiou, member of the AKEL Larnaca District Committee, Achilleas Achilleos, Head of the Environment Bureau of AKEL Limassol District Organisation and Christiana Agapiou and Ioanna Fikardou AKEL Parliamentary Assistants.