Cancelling the contract with the company that modernised the port of Liopetri will cost the Cypriot government €1 million.

The Cypriot government's decision to cancel the contracts of the contractor and engineer responsible for the renovation of the fishing pier at Liopetri has had unpleasant consequences in the form of financial claims from subcontractors and suppliers amounting to around €1 million.

It turns out that several companies sued to recover money for services rendered after news of the cancellation of contracts. The first claim was from a lighting supplier seeking payment of €365,000 plus VAT, while the second was from a supplier of steelwork for the bridge who was apparently owed €265,000 plus VAT.

Other claims include a demand for payment of €353,590 plus VAT from a wharf subcontractor, while the electronics subcontractor withdrew from the project in April, citing non-payment for approved work worth €45,064. It is likely that all these claims will now have to be settled by the Cypriot government rather than the contractor.

It should be recalled that the main reason for the termination of the contracts with the contractor and the engineer was the continuous delays in the construction works and the postponement of the delivery date of the facility.

The modernisation of the Liopetri fishing pier was scheduled to start in September 2020 and to be completed in March 2023. However, due to the continuous postponement of the work schedule, the deadline was postponed by 22 months, until January 2025. The Court of Auditors pointed out the unreasonable delays and recommended drastic measures against both the contractor and the engineer. Following these recommendations, the Land Department cancelled the earlier contract.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers approved compensation of 12.1 thousand euros for 11 professional fishermen affected by the project delays, who were forced to moor their vessels in alternative ports, incurring additional fuel costs and loss of income.

It is worth noting that the restoration of the Liopetri riverbed was to be one of the largest projects in the fisheries sector in Cyprus. The main objective of the local authorities was to transform the jetty into a modern, safe and organised workplace for professional fishermen. The project included the construction of:

1. A bridge to connect the two banks of the Liopetri river;
2. More than 130 platforms and new berths for the safe mooring of boats and launches;
3. A perimeter cycle and pedestrian path;
4. A fisheries training centre;
5. A multi-purpose office building;
6. Fishermen's service area;
7. New car parking;
8. A café-restaurant;
9. A nature observatory;
10. recreation room;
11. a kiosk.

The plans also include the installation of launching and hoisting facilities for boats and launches, an outdoor catch sorting area and storage facilities. The cost of the project is estimated at €11 million.