The deadline for the Liopetri fishing port modernisation project has been postponed again

A project to modernise the small fishing port of Liopetri has been awaited by local residents for decades.

Finally, in 2020, the local authorities started to overhaul the harbour. Four years later, the riverbed is still a construction site. At the same time, no one can say exactly when the major project will become operational.

Recently, the contractor's request to extend the work until 17 December 2024 was granted. Local fishermen and the owners of the family tavern, which has been operating in Liopetri since 1963, have expressed their outrage. Dozens of families are suffering financial losses because the port is taking so long to repair, they said.

We have been forced to close our tavern for the fourth year. The family business, which used to provide a good income, has virtually gone bust. Ten families lived next to the tavern and worked here. What's happening to us now is unfair. Our lives have been turned upside down. When the renovations are finally finished, we'll have to start from scratch. The local authorities have destroyed everything we have worked hard to build all our lives,' said the tavern owner.

For her part, Margarita Nicolaou, whose family lives in the Liopetri area, said that most of the locals were financially dependent on the functioning of the port. She announced her intention to sue for adequate compensation. Around 30 fishermen also expressed their displeasure at the delays in the implementation of the project. It should be noted that some of them have been relocated to other fishing areas, while others continue to work in the Liopetri area.

God help us to complete the work in December. We feel cornered, deprived of the port we had, supposedly for our benefit. In fact, the local authorities have destroyed everything and we don't know when they will clean up the Liopetri riverbed,' said Antonis Zambas, the fishermen's representative.

It is worth remembering that the foundation stone of the new Liopetri port was laid by former Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Speaking at the ceremony, he stressed that the idea to modernise the port came from the late head of the Liopetri district council, Kyriakos Trisokkas. He insisted that the new port could change the life of the whole village. The project was first delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Then there were constant delays by the contractor. The modernisation of Liopetri port will cost €11 million. The project is part of a long-term government programme to support the fishing industry.

The main aim is to turn the quay into a modern, safe and organised workplace for professional fishermen.

The project envisages the creation of:

1. A bridge linking 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 developer is also planning to provide boat and dinghy launching and hoisting facilities, an outdoor catch sorting area and storage facilities.