The information emerging from the on-site inspection of the Paphos–Polis Chrysochous highway by the Parliamentary Committee on Transport are far from encouraging and rather confirmatory of recent fears regarding significant delays and a substantial cost overrun.
Committee members visited the construction site at various points yesterday and also held a meeting with representatives of the construction company.
From this data, there is now certainty about serious delays in the project’s implementation and a likely increase in the construction cost of the first phase of the road, which is expected to be substantial.
Committee president Marinos Moushiouttas and members of the Transport, Communications, and Works Committee of the Parliament highlighted after their tour and briefing that they would contribute to resolving the emerging disputes, which have arisen repeatedly.
Moushiouttas stressed that contracts and procedures must be adhered to, warning that any disputes must be resolved properly to advance the project.
He described the scenario of leaving an unfinished project of such magnitude and importance as nightmarish.
He called on all parties to engage in dialogue to complete the road, even with delays, noting that during their visit, committee members did not see any company workers at the construction site.
The first phase of the new Paphos–Polis Chrysochous road is being constructed by a Greek company that won the relevant tender in May 2021.
While according to the contracts, the first phase from Agia Marinouda to Stroumpi, with a length of 15 kilometers and a cost of 86 million, should be completed by the end of the year, the Director of the Public Works Department revealed during today’s visit of the MPs that only 35% of the total work has been completed so far. The company is demanding an additional 33 months and another 22 million from the initial agreement for the project’s completion.
The President and members of the Transport, Communications, and Works Committee also visited various points of Paphos city’s road network where safety issues are raised.
They agreed on the necessity of creating an overhead pedestrian crossing on Tassos Papadopoulos Avenue and completing the city’s ring road with the construction of the western bypass between the “Viofos” and “Diploarkatzia” areas.
