Some of the restoration programs implemented by the government after the major wildfire in the Limassol district have been completed 100%, the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities Mr. Charalambos Christofinas told “Entrepreneurial Limassol”, stressing that what matters most now is repairing the damage, mainly to homes, whether partially or completely destroyed.
The Commissioner noted that of the 715 recorded cases (which include agricultural warehouses and premises that may be illegal, lacking permits), more than 500 have been examined. Consequently, he added, the timetable that had been set for all cases to be examined by the end of September to early October has been met. He further explained that assessments for all houses have been completed 100% by the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ΕΤΕΚ) and that a large number of affected residents have already signed and accepted the assistance in order to begin restoring their homes.
Mr. Christofinas said that the second aspect of the issue concerns rent for affected households who will remain long-term away from their homes. In this regard, he added, no one is currently staying in state-provided facilities. “Everyone has left,” he noted, and the state is covering the agreed rent until the homes are rebuilt. As for the third major chapter, relating to agriculture and compensations, the Commissioner said that the process for income-loss compensation for one year has been completed 100%, both through the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization (KOAP) and for those affected who were not registered, via the declaration they submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has completed recording the damages and software is being prepared so that in the coming days letters to those entitled to compensation can begin to be sent out. “It will be a very easy process, because everything has been computerized and will be sent to beneficiaries in a straightforward way,” he said.
Another major issue, which according to the Commissioner is a real challenge, is flood protection works. For these works, the study has been completed by the Water Development Department, which is the implementing authority, while tenders have already been announced, awarded, and contracts signed with contractors. The timetable provides for at least 17 interventions to be completed in the most dangerous locations before the end of October.
“A problem that arises, unfortunately, is the current condition of riverbeds, which are not in their registered positions due to interventions. In this case, we proceeded quickly with the issuance of a decree so that immediate restoration works could be carried out,” he noted. It should be mentioned that the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Andreas Gregoriou, recently stated that the plan for flood protection works in mountainous Limassol foresees the implementation of Phase A before the end of October.
Mr. Christofinas publicly thanked the departments of the Public Service that worked even on August 15th, from morning to evening, in order to achieve results, pointing out that “this is how the state should function,” as per the instructions of the President of the Republic. He also added that nearly all ministers visited the communities once or twice and will continue to do so. The President of the Union of Limassol Communities, Mr. Lefteris Perikli, said that during a recent meeting in Pachna village a review was made of the measures announced by the government, the degree of their implementation, and any problems that arose, in the presence of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities. He added that, after listening to and speaking with fellow community leaders, the impression he gained is that the government’s announcements are indeed being implemented. “Some issues still remain, such as small cases requiring specialization and study in order for compensation to be granted. But I believe we are on a very good path,” he noted.
Mr. Perikli also praised the contribution of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) during the difficult hours of the fire, stressing that over time there has always been excellent cooperation both with the Union of Communities and the Limassol Development Company. “With the Chamber’s leadership we had constant communication during the days of the crisis and, through its members (hoteliers and licensed accommodation owners), in cooperation with the Commissioner and community leaders, we managed to help people who in the first days needed housing. We thank them sincerely and will always maintain the necessary cooperation with them,” he stressed.
For his part, the President of LCCI, Mr. Andreas Tsouloftas, said that as soon as the fire broke out, the Chamber was immediately mobilized and offered, in its own way, whatever it could, contacting its members who provided beds to house those who had lost their homes. “This was a contribution from our members, which we thanked and praised them for their sensitivity,” he noted.
LCCI, he added, also contacted its members who own own factories, small businesses, and industries to determine if there were any problems and whether assistance was needed. Fortunately, however, there were no direct impacts. “The Chamber remained in constant contact both with the affected areas and with the relevant state officials, in order to provide support wherever needed,” he concluded.
