Larnaca, Cyprus. Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras on Monday renewed his criticism of the government over the ongoing redevelopment projects for the town’s port and marina, saying his “reasonable questions” must be answered.
Questions on studies and construction plans
Vyras said it had been stated that marina docking projects were ready to begin and asked whether complete construction plans and all necessary studies were in place. He asked whether wave studies had been prepared, along with required infrastructure studies for electricity, water, and internet.
He said that if such studies have not been carried out, it is unclear what projects consent is being sought for. He also asked whether studies prepared retroactively would be limited to the marina or would cover the broader area.
Doubts over reported infrastructure renovations
Vyras referred to public statements by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades that renovations had been made to existing infrastructure. Vyras questioned this, saying that, as far as he knew, apart from minor rough repairs, the tender process for repair and renovation of the marina’s existing infrastructure had not progressed.
Meetings and expected deliverables
Vyras said he met with Vafeades and Larnaca district governor Andreas Hadjicharalambous, and that it was stated a corrected study conducted by GrowthFund on determining the land area with urban developments would be presented by early May.
He added that it had been expected that by early June a detailed masterplan with financing and specific timetables would be produced. He said these timetables were absent from Vafeades’ public statements.
Land development and GrowthFund’s role
Vyras said the first GrowthFund study did not include any land development and asked who ordered the change and what had changed. He said the town’s position was that such a project requires comprehensive planning with land use, as is the case in modern marinas internationally.
GrowthFund is Greece’s national investment fund, formally named the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP). It took responsibility for conducting a study and devising a development plan for the port and marina after it took control of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) last year. HRADF had initially been in charge of the effort and had operated a number of ports in Greece, with its assets and responsibilities transferred to GrowthFund in July last year.
What information would you like clarified about the studies, timelines, and land development plans for the Larnaca port and marina project?
