Communications and Works Minister Marios Demetriades has said that should the development of the Larnaca marina and the port, on the island’s southern coast, by `Zenon` consortium not go ahead as planned, the Ministry will launch a new bid for the marina while the port will return under the umbrella of the Ports Authority.
The Minister made statements to the press on Monday when invited to comment on the new extension given to the consortium for the particular development. The government and Zenon Consortium have signed an agreement for the joint development of Larnaca port and the town’s marina at a cost in excess of €700 million.
Demetriades said the government, following developments on the issue and acting responsibly, decided to give a brief extension hoping that the project will proceed.
He clarified that if this does not happen, then the government and the local authorities will have to confer and search for other solutions.
The Minister also said that if the government launches a new bid for the transformation of the marina, the procedures will be very quick.
Invited to comment on a strike organized by the employees at the Ports Authority on Wednesday, the Minister said that the government wants the Port to be operational.
Demetriades said that there are thoughts and suggestions for other works at the port as well as proposals by the private sector. He said these proposals are being evaluated and if they prove financially viable and fulfill the criteria, then the government will proceed with these procedures, irrespective of the procedures relating to `Zenon` consortium.
The Minister visited Larnaka today and had a meeting with local authorities with whom he discussed the problems the city is faced with.
