Foundation stone laid for upgrade to Liopetri harbour

The foundation stone of a “cutting edge” project to transform the picturesque Liopetri harbour was laid on Sunday.

Laying the stone, President Nicos Anastasiades said the idea belonged to the late Liopetri community leader Kyriacos Trisoka, who insisted such a development would change the life of the area.

Despite being delayed by the Covid pandemic, it is set to be complete in November, and Anastasiades called on the contractor to make sure timeframes are met.

“A vision of decades that has been a constant demand of the fishermen of the region is finally becoming a reality,” he said.

Anastasiades said the upgrade is part of the government’s long standing support of the fishing industry which although it only makes a small contribution to GDP is important to people in the coastal areas.

A road linking the area to the highway has already been completed.

Once finished, the site will have 114 boat berths, while other facilities for visitors will also be created.

The cost of the project is €11 million.

The government, Anastasiades said, has supported the fisheries sector and prospects for blue growth.

Through the Maritime Operational Programme 2014-2020, he said €33 million has been allocated, which is expected to increase to €53 million upon completion of ongoing projects.

These projects include the construction of a new, integrated port in Pentakomo at an estimated cost of €25 million.

“While, as a legacy to the next government we leave the Operational Programme for the Sea, Fisheries and Aquaculture 2021-2027, with a budget that exceeds €54 million, in addition to what will be budgeted in each annual budget,” Anastasiades said.

The programme is a tool to further upgrade the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and more generally to support blue growth.

Other work in Liopetri includes the implementation of a €3 million project to upgrade the second primary and Apostolos Varnavas schools and the improvement of the community’s road network.