MPs, the Child Commissioner and activists on Thursday slammed the Limassol Mayor over the ongoing works to erect new playgrounds in the coastal city’s Municipal Gardens at the expense of the environment.
They accused Nicos Nicolaides and the Municipal Council at large of complete lack of transparency over this project which has seen aged trees been sacrificed.
They also accuse them of interpreting in their own twisted ways provisions of the law on the need for thorough studies on environmental effects to be carried out before any works can start.
MPs argued the Municipality did not proceed with a public consultation – as it should – before beginning what the city officials describe as the upgrade of the Gardens.
Green Party MP Alexandra Attalides said the creation of a new playground, especially one costing €1.7 million, demands society’s participation ad this is a right totally violated in this case.
However, the most critical was the island’s Child Commissioner Despo Michaelidou who said the planned children’s playground cannot be separated from the theme park which seems to be the main plan there.
She added: “We have accepted a private donation without first looking into conditions that were set by the particular company.
“…the original master plan was drawn up when the first towers were built in the area and a playground would actually serve the needs of the children of those who live in the towers.”
The implication is that children of mainly rich Russian and other nationality residents who bought the expensive apartments are the benefactors of the modern playground for which old trees have been sacrificed.
