MPs seek answers over reported pollution in Limassol sea

Limassol, Cyprus. MPs demanded answers on Wednesday over reported pollution in the Limassol sea, with the House environment committee expressing dissatisfaction with the environment department.

Committee members questioned the department’s finding that its inspections had detected no pollution, despite a sample taken in the area on August 11 being found contaminated, according to Limassol mayor Yiannis Armeftis.

Conflicting findings

Disy MP Michalis Kounounis said inspections were carried out at 29 points twice a month and that the analyses reportedly showed no problem.

He questioned how official analyses could be clear while a contaminated sample had also been identified.

“What is the real quality of the sea in Limassol?” Kounounis asked.

He said authorities should move beyond describing the issue and address it.

Committee to revisit issue

Committee chairman and Elam MP Linos Papayiannis said the matter had remained unresolved for 10 months and was not limited to Limassol.

“No service considered competent under the legislation has convinced the members of the committee that this is the case,” he said.

Papayiannis said the issue would return to the committee shortly and that there should be no further delay in determining the required action.

Call for broader approach

Akel MP Marina Nikolaou called for a broader response, saying pollution could not be addressed in a piecemeal manner.