President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday chairs an urgent meeting on safety in the Vasiliko area in the wake of residents’ concerns following the Vasiliko Cement Works fire last week.
The meeting will be attended by the ministers of transport, justice, and energy as well as government officials.
A statement by the Presidency said Anastasiades’ aim is for decisions to be taken that will be implemented the soonest possible so that the relevant concerns can be appeased.
Tuesday’s blaze, though contained within one hour, once again sparked protests by residents of neighbouring communities who saw the thick billowing clouds of smoke as confirming their fears.
Residents of nine communities – Kalavasos, Zygi, Mari, Psematismenos, Maroni, Tochni, Chirokitia, Asgata, and Pentakomo – have staged protests in the past because they say heavy industry is being unfairly congregated in their area.
Last week they warned of further action unless their concerns were addressed.
Vasilikos area hosts the island’s newest power plant of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus as well as the under-construction ambitious oil storage terminal project along with other big industrial units.
