Limnes, Cyprus. Cyprus’ justice ministry said the new migrant centre in Limnes, near the Larnaca district village of Menoyia, has been partially opened. The ministry said the centre is intended to strengthen operational management of migration and relieve existing facilities.
Justice ministry statement
The justice ministry described the new centre as a “substantial step in upgrading the state’s infrastructure, which strengthens the operational management of migration and immediately relieves the existing structures”.
It said it is “proceeding with a plan and consistency in the creation of modern facilities, which ensure order, functionality, and respect for rights, strengthening the state’s ability to respond effectively to what is an ongoing challenge”.
Cost, capacity, and funding
The centre cost around €100 million. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said during a visit to the site last year that it will have an initial capacity of 1,000 people.
Migration Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides said that 90 per cent of the budget will be provided by funds from the European Union. He said the placement of the new centre would “relieve” Cyprus’ urban centres.
“When we have reception centres, these people will not go to towns and villages to stay, they will stay in their reception centres, which have very good conditions and work according to European standards,” he said.
Local criticism
The centre’s construction has sparked criticism from some local residents. Elena Sakkada, the mukhtar of the nearby village of Anglisides, said her village is being “ignored” by the government.
She said last month that the government had promised “compensatory projects” following the decision to build the migrant centre in Limnes, but that “we have seen nothing, even though the work is nearing completion”.
What impact do you think the partial opening of the Limnes migrant centre will have on nearby communities?
