Ministry says Paphos-Polis highway works will proceed under legal and financial safeguards

Paphos, Cyprus. The transport ministry said on Friday that construction of the Paphos-Polis Chrysochous highway would proceed through lawful procedures, achievable planning and decisions supported by financial evidence. Responding to criticism, it acknowledged the disruption caused while stressing its responsibility to safeguard the public interest.

Delays under the original contract

According to the ministry, the original agreement, signed in 2021 for approximately €73 million, envisaged completion in 2024.

The ministry said significant delays and a lack of meaningful progress had emerged early and persisted despite numerous warnings and interventions from the public works department. By January 2023, completed work represented under 4 per cent of the contract’s overall value; by October 2024, progress stood at only 21.1 per cent.

It said sustained attempts to resolve the difficulties had preceded the contract’s termination.

Replacement tender cancelled

The public works department subsequently launched another tender for the remaining construction, the ministry said. That process was cancelled because one offer was priced too high, while the second failed to satisfy the prerequisites.

Commitment to completing the highway

The ministry said the government recognised the inconvenience but also had a duty to protect the public interest.

It reiterated that further work would follow lawful procedures, realistic plans and financially justified decisions. The government’s objective, it said, was to finish a necessary project with specifications suited to present-day needs, while fully respecting the law, people’s rights and each euro contributed by Cypriot taxpayers.