The cost of Aradippou’s upgraded sewerage system has skyrocketed by over €200 million from its original estimate, it was revealed on Wednesday.

Initially projected at €50 million, the project is now expected to cost €270 million in taxpayer money. Opposition party Akel has called the situation a “scandalous mishandling,” placing blame on Disy and the former mayor for the outcome.

“As a result of petty politics, residents are now having to pay for the heel-dragging and [deferment of] decisions in the past,” Akel said in a statement.

The upgrade was intended to expand the Larnaca sewerage system to include the communities of Aradippou, Leivadia, Oroklini, and Pyla.

The revelation that the works costs had shot up was announced by Larnaca EOA President Angelos Hadjicharalambous during a meeting last week, which reviewed the first 100 days of the district’s self-governance organisation.

The rise in costs was attributed to the delayed integration of Aradippou’s system into the Larnaca sewerage network.

According to Hadjicharalambous, taxpayers will bear the burden of the additional costs either through EOA tariffs or state funds.

The issue, first raised in 2009, remained unresolved for a decade until Aradippou was finally incorporated into the Larnaca system in 2019.

The fourth phase of the Larnaca sewerage upgrade is now set to include the four communities with 330km of pipeline works and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

The tendering process is currently being prepared, with an expected start date for the works in 2027.