A pan-community gathering took place on Friday night in the Achna Forest Community, with the aim of informing the residents about the creation of a crocodile park.
Mayor Nikos Vassilas, two directors and a lawyer of the company of Israeli and Cypriot interests, which wishes to build the park, made an extensive presentation of the park.
A portion of residents expressed their reactions to the creation of the crocodile park and distributed leaflets expressing their opposition, while too many residents called for a public consultation.
The rally was delayed by an hour due to a dispute over whether residents of neighboring communities or representatives of organized groups could attend.
In his statements, the Mayor of Achna, Nikos Vassilas, stated that "the Community has about 2,5 thousand inhabitants, most of whom will be in favor of the creation of the theme park. However, there is a portion of citizens who are protesting and have brought with them people from other communities ".
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Vassilas said that since the creation of the crocodile park "there will be development and progress for tourism. We have an area in the Achna dam that is offered to become an Agritourism Center and the investment of a company of about 8 million euros to create, next to the dam, a crocodile park, this will attract many tourists who are interested in agritourism or excursions to Agia Napa and Protaras ".
In another question, the Commonwealth replied that various issues were discussed with the company, including the priority of the people of Achniot in recruiting staff, however, as he noted, "neither the green light was given to the company to start, nor any documents have been prepared". Before the green light is given, if given, he said, "the necessary documents will definitely be made to lawyers which will ensure both Achna's interests and where the crocodiles will be transported" in case the theme park is not successful.
Asked about the large quantities of water that will be needed, Mr. Vassilas replied that "the quantities of water, ie the 80 tons that are said to be needed, are insignificant".
Regarding the majority secured by the creation of the park in the Community Council, Nikos Vassilas said that "not all members of the largest political party in the Community are in favor of the park. "When an individual is elected to a Community Council, even with the support of a political party, he must act in the interest of the Community as he sees fit."
For her part, Maria Souroulla, a member of the Coordinating Committee for the Struggle against the crocodile park / breeding ground in Achna, stated that "we called on the Commonwealth to conduct an investigation and inform us about the risks to health and the environment. safety of residents from the creation of the park. Until today, we have not received any answer and we consider that this was the primary duty of the Common Leader ".
Ms. Souroulla also referred to a recent report by the Medical School of the University of Cyprus, which talks about the possible spread of the West Nile virus in Cyprus, since the crocodiles that may be transported to the park will come from Israel. Specifically, Ms. Sourulla said that "they are sick animals and they bring epidemics and viruses with them".
Answering a relevant question, he said that "we live in a democratic European state and in all the member states of the European Union there are conventions. Specifically, there is the Aarhus Convention, according to which an issue must be publicly consulted, the people must have the right to investigate and attend meetings when making decisions. If this is not done, then the citizen has the right to appeal. "
The President and the Vice President of the Movement of Ecologists George Perdikis and Efi Xanthou, the Mayor of Paralimni Theodoros Pyrillis, the MP of AKEL Famagusta Nikos Kettiros and the MP of DIKO Larnas Larna were present at the gathering.
The rally, which was attended by about 400 people, was also attended by four police officers from the British Base of Dhekelia.
It is recalled that the Community Council on April 17 gave its consent by a majority, for the construction of a crocodile theme park. 6 of the 9 members of the Community Council were in favor of the project, ie the Common Leader, two councilors of DISY, one of AKEL, one of DIKO and one of EDEK, two community councilors of DISY voted against while a second councilor of AKEL abstained.
Famagusta.News / KYPE
