Greens call for halt to damaging Akamas projects and investigation into failures

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Movement of Ecologists party on Friday called for an immediate halt to environmentally damaging projects in Akamas, demanding accountability from those responsible and stronger protection for the peninsula.

Audit findings and environmental damage

The party said an Audit Office report published on Wednesday had established an “ecological disaster”, identifying serious shortcomings in the management and protection of the area.

It said disregard for basic environmental protection rules and interventions including excessive excavation had caused irreparable damage to sensitive ecosystems.

“The official findings demonstrate a tragic failure of the competent authorities, turning a priceless natural treasure into a field of mismanagement and environmental degradation,” the party said.

The Greens highlighted serious violations and deviations from construction plans that were not covered by the original environmental assessment. They said 17 of the 19 additional conditions imposed retrospectively remained unfulfilled, while damage caused by excessive excavation could no longer be reversed.

Possible criminal liability and additional costs

The party said the Audit Office’s intention to refer the file to the Legal Service for consideration of possible criminal liability confirmed “the magnitude of the illegalities and the need for a complete clean-up”.

It added that projects worth millions of euros remained at the planning stage or had barely progressed. Wasteful and poorly coordinated decisions, including the installation and subsequent removal of infrastructure networks, had imposed additional costs on taxpayers, it said.

Calls for investigation and stronger protection

The party demanded a full investigation and accountability “without concessions or cover-ups”, alongside an immediate halt to environmentally damaging works.

It also called for strict compliance with European and international protection standards for Natura 2000 sites and urged the government to take corrective action to safeguard Akamas.