The coastline in Oroklini is facing significant erosion, Oroklini deputy mayor Neophytos Fakonti and Larnaca technical services head Neophytoula Angelidou said on Tuesday.

“There are problems with beach erosion, as well as subsidence along the coastline,” Angelidou said.

She noted that a series of projects have been carried out to address the issue, including the installation of breakwaters and the removal of a vertical jetty near the Lebay Hotel.

“However, erosion occurs along the entire length of the walkway, regardless of whether there are piles or foundations. It is something that particularly concerns us, as it has intensified, especially after the removal of the vertical pier,” she said.

Angelidou described the situation as “complex”, adding that the municipality has appointed two consultants and is working closely with the government, while the public works department remains the main authority on the matter.

“The municipality has taken some safety measures for the public. However, many citizens do not comply, which is why we carry out frequent inspections in the area,” she said.

She stressed that the issue is not isolated, describing it as a “national problem”.

“At the moment in the area we have recorded problems of safety, aesthetic ugliness and subsidence of the soil,” she said, urging that immediate solutions must be provided so that results could be seen soon. 

“We need to identify the root cause of the problem and then seek solutions, otherwise resources will be wasted without delivering meaningful results,” she added.

Asked why the issue persists despite millions of euros spent on projects and studies, Fakonti referred to a study conducted by the Technical University of Athens in 2010.

“The breakwaters cost approximately €4 million. Oroklini contributes around €100,000 annually until it reaches €1 million, which corresponds to 25 per cent of the total cost,” he said.

He added that ten years after the construction of the breakwaters began, the public works department should have commissioned an updated study based on new data, but this was not done.

Referring to earlier breakwaters constructed before the study, Fakonti said the municipality had initially covered 50 per cent of the cost.

“Now we pay 25 per cent, as 50 per cent was funded by the European Union and the remaining 25 per cent by the state,” he said.