Limassol, Cyprus. A parliamentary report censured Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou over the management of a wildfire in the Limassol district last summer that killed two people. The report also cited serious weaknesses in the existing fire management system.
Findings on minister’s conduct and committee sessions
The report said Panayiotou “systematically avoided answering questions” during joint sessions of the House interior, agriculture and environment committees examining the state’s response to the fires. It said she instead “tried to transfer the responsibility of coordination” to fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos.
Coordinator’s absence and ministry response
The report said Panayiotou “refused to justify the absence” of her ministry’s permanent secretary Adreas Georgiou during the wildfire. Georgiou had been designated as coordinator of the organisations involved in the response, but travelled to Australia to commemorate the anniversaries of the 1974 coup d’état and invasion.
Restoration discussions with environment commissioner
The report said that “despite repeated efforts” by environment commissioner Antonia Theodosiou to meet Panayiotou about environmental restoration in the affected area, Panayiotou “never held a meeting with her regarding the whole matter, for reasons which were not explained.” Theodosiou had publicly defended the decision last summer, saying the lack of a meeting was not a serious issue and that the perception it was had been manufactured for political purposes.
Conclusion of the report
The report said Panayiotou, based on what was said before the committees, did not generally fulfil her duties adequately and did not facilitate the committees’ work or the exercise of parliamentary oversight despite being present during the debate.
What changes, if any, do you think should be made to Cyprus’ fire management system?