Various issues of environmental interest and not only that are of concern to the business community and to Limassol in general, at both city and district level, were recently brought before the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis, by the Board of Directors of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The meeting between the two sides took place via teleconference, as the restrictive measures imposed by the pandemic did not allow for a face-to-face with physical presence.
Limassol Chamber President Andreas Tsouloftas raised before the Minister and his associates the many problems that have been created in terms of waste disposal in Limassol after the closure of the site that operated for many years in Vati, in combination with the unsatisfactory operation of Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (also known by its Greek acronym OEDA) at Pentakomo and the inadequate number of Green Points in Limassol.
Responding, the Minister, after noting that Vati in its old form should have been closed long ago and that the era of effectively free of charge waste disposal is over, assured that the competent government departments are at the disposal of those interested in trying to find solutions, on a case-by-case basis.
Regarding OEDA and the green points, a discussion which was also attended by Mesa Yitonia Mayor Doros Antoniou in his capacity as President of OEDA, it was stated that the problems in the operation of this unit are under constant monitoring and evaluation and the assistance of foreign experts has been requested in this direction. As far as green points are concerned, they are going to be increased in number and expanded in different areas of the district in a way that would better serve the existing needs and thus provide a disincentive for the uncontrolled disposal of waste.
Referring to the issue of the circular economy and the funds that the European Union intends to allocate in this area, the Minister noted that this is a key sector for the EU. Significant amounts will be allocated to Cyprus, both through the Ministry of Agriculture and, mainly through the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, with announcements to that effect expected shortly.
Finally, in relation to the LCCI request for faster approval of environmental studies required for various projects, Mr. Kadis noted that although there are admittedly some delays, there is an improvement of the whole situation, to the point that some projects are processed through a fast-track approach that does not even require the submission of a detailed study.
