Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Friday that those responsible for any offences found related to issues caused during the roadworks in the Akamas National Forest Park (NFP) will be held accountable.
Three administrative investigations have been completed while a fourth disciplinary investigation is currently underway, conducted by a senior officer from the Legal Service, to look into possible violations.
“Those responsible will certainly be punished,” Panayiotou told Sigma television.
The deadline for completing the findings was set for the end of December 2024. However, the minister had recently mentioned that due to the large volume of data and the extensive research required, a new extension had been requested by the investigating officer, which is expected to be approved by the Cabinet.
Panayiotou reiterated on Friday that “for us, Akamas is an environmental treasure that we wish to preserve and protect.”
Earlier this year, the minister said possible disciplinary offences by two state officials —former Forestry Department director Charalambos Alexandrou and former Environmental Department director Costas Hadjipanayiotou—were recorded in the investigation.
The issue came to light when roadworks began in Akamas in September 2023 after the greenlight from the forestry department.
Environmental groups nonetheless cried foul after they argued the works were going outside the scope of what the environment department had approved.
In response, the cabinet halted the works and ordered a probe into the matter.
Regarding the future of construction works, which were halted in December 2023, Panayiotou stated that “for this to happen, the works must not be simply completed but should have a reduced environmental footprint and strict environmental oversight.”
“Our goal is not to destroy anything, so we will enter Akamas with a reduced environmental footprint and strict supervision,” she stressed.
The project, which began in September 2023, aimed to improve 13.4 kilometres of roads within the Akamas NFP to enhance safety.
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