Modernisation of Liopetri fishing jetty may be delayed indefinitely

The project to modernise the Liopetri area is threatening to become one of the biggest construction projects in Cyprus.

Recently, the company in charge of the project announced that the work would have to be postponed due to financial disagreements with the state. In particular, the road around the river, which was due to be opened on 15 November, has not been completed.

The head of Liopetri Municipality, Markos Koumis, said that the issue of payment to the contractor had recently been resolved, but there was no doubt that there would be further delays. He stressed that he had not seen any significant progress since he became mayor. Indeed, the Liopetri fishing pier has been in an unsightly state for several years, and the protracted repairs have caused great inconvenience to fishermen and the owners of the local tavern.

The restoration of the Liopetri riverbed is one of the biggest projects in the Cypriot fishing sector.

The foundation stone for the new port of Liopetri was laid in 2020 by the then President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades. Speaking at the ceremony, he stressed that the idea to modernise the port came from the late head of the Liopetri village 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 transform 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 install slipways for the launching and lifting of boats and launches, an outdoor catch sorting area and storage facilities.

Despite the support of the Cypriot government, the project has been plagued by delays. First, the contractor was granted a postponement of the delivery of the new fishing port to March 2023, then to July 2024. The latest relaxations mean that construction will be completed by January 2025. However, given the condition of the marina, it is possible that the contractor will ask for a further delay.