LIOPETRI: The foundation stone was laid in the Liopetri River by President Anastasiades (VIDEO+PICTURES)

The foundation stone for the Liopetriou fishing shelter was laid - With references to blessed Kyriakos Trisokkas, President Anastasiades - See video and photo report from the ceremony

65058 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

One of the largest infrastructure projects related to the fishing sector of Cyprus was founded today, Sunday, January 22, 2023, by the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades. This is the upgrade project of the Liopetriou Fishing Refuge, the implementation of which was a constant request of the professional fishermen of the area.

The works at the fishing shelter, which will have a capacity of 112 boats, include the construction of wooden wharves, a boat lift/launch ramp, a boathouse, storage areas for professional fishermen, etc. The main objective is to upgrade the fishing shelter into a modern, safe and organized workplace for professional fishermen.

65054 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

Simultaneously with the construction of the fishing shelter, the construction of the surrounding area will also take place, which will contribute to the protection and promotion of the natural environment of the Potamos area and will be a pole of attraction for the visitor, offering him services and alternative ways of recreation. A series of basic infrastructure projects will be created, such as a fishing education center, a place for organizing cultural events, a pedestrian path, a bicycle path, parking areas, etc.

65052 1 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

Architects of the design project of the Fishery Refuge and the River are the Architectural Office B. Iereidis and Associate Architects. The works, which are expected to be completed in November 2023, were undertaken by the Lois Builders Ltd. The project implementation coordinator is the Department of Urban Planning and Housing of the Ministry of the Interior and the owner is the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

65075 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

The cost of the work amounts to €11 million and is co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 (75% from European resources and 25% from national), effectively contributing to the sustainable development of our country's fisheries.

65073 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

This is the greeting of the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis at the laying of the Foundation Stone for the reconstruction of the fishing shelter in the Liopetriou River

"It is really with great joy, but above all satisfaction, that I lay the Foundation Stone of the project to renovate and shape the fishing refuge in the Liopetriou River.

I would like to mention my friend Kyriakos Trisokka, the man who envisioned and through the unanimous opinion of the community councilors, persistently tried to convey the message that it was a cutting-edge project that would really change the life of the area and you are all witnesses of it progress achieved despite the fact that due to the corona virus and other consequences of the corona virus there is a relative delay in the implementation of the project, However, from what I am informed by the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Agriculture and the Urban Planning Council on the part of the Ministry of the Interior, we hope that in November it will be ready, so that this jewel depicted in the mock-up is a reality.

65072 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

I want to plead with the contractor company, a very reliable company to strictly adhere to the schedules so that we can achieve within the time frames, what we have committed to be done and with the foundation today is an additional commitment to deliver the project in the predetermined new time .

65071 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

And I have mentioned satisfaction and it is not by chance, since a vision of decades that was a constant request of the fishermen of the area is finally becoming a reality.

The planning and implementation of the reconstruction of the fishing refuge demonstrates the Government's long-term and consistent support to the fishing sector, which, despite its small contribution to the Gross National Product, contributes decisively to the socio-economic development of coastal areas and offers healthy and safe products to consumers.

65070 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

The project is expected to have direct social and economic benefits, both for the fishermen themselves and for the community of Liopetriou, as well as the residents of the wider area.

It is with particular satisfaction that I noted that the road network that I traveled was a dirt road a while ago and that has nothing to do with the execution of the present project which through the network that is already under construction will lead to the highway and in this way it will be accessible to tourists staying either in Ayia Napa, Paralimni or Protaras, in the wider area of ​​Famagusta, so that this model fishing shelter that will also be turned into a park for recreation, walking, and exercise can be offered to the residents of the area and to visitors.

65069 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

The fishermen of the area can expect a safe base with modern infrastructure and 114 boat berths, which will improve their operating conditions, while it is expected to contribute to increasing their incomes.

Meanwhile, the citizens will soon have at their disposal an area that will be a point of reference for sports, rest, catering and recreation, with an upgraded road network.

65068 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

At the same time, the project will simultaneously contribute to the promotion and, by extension, to the increase in the visitation of the area, in a way, of course, that will ensure the protection of the rare beauty of its natural environment.

The co-financed total cost of renovating the fishing shelter amounts to 11 million euros.

The Government, with various policies and actions, has particularly sensitively supported the Fisheries sector and in general the country's prospects for blue development.

65067 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

As an example, I mention that:

  • Through the Sea Operational Program 2014-2020, 33 million euros were allocated, while this amount is expected to increase to 53 million euros with the completion of the projects still in progress.
  • The development of the integrated fisheries management system, a sophisticated information system, has been launched and will be implemented by the end of 2023, which will contribute to a better and faster service to citizens, through the provision of electronic services.
  • After a bill was tabled, the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2021 was passed, under which existing Class A and B inshore fishing licenses are renewed until the end of 2023, for the purpose of supporting professional fishermen during the outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus.
  • The construction procedures of a new, modern and integrated collective port infrastructure in Pentakomos have begun, to serve aquaculture, with an estimated cost of 25 million euros.
  • Whereas, as a bequest to the next Government, we are leaving the Sea, Fisheries and Aquaculture Operational Program 2021-2027, with a budget that exceeds 54 million euros, beyond what will be budgeted in the annual budget.

65065 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

The Program is the tool for the further upgrading of the fishing and aquaculture sectors and in general for supporting blue growth.

Already, the grant scheme to provide compensation to the fishing sector, due to the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, amounting to 1.4 million euros, was immediately implemented.

65064 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

Being in the Liopetriou Community, I would like to mention that in addition to the existing project, amounting to 11 million euros, in the last decade the State has proceeded with the implementation of projects amounting to 3 million euros, such as, among others, the improvement of the infrastructure at the XNUMXnd Primary School and the "Apostolos Varnavas" Special School, the construction of a community park for missing people, but also the improvement of the Community's road network.

65063 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

While a particularly important development is the publication and implementation for the first time of the Local Plan concerning the Municipality of Sotiras, the Community of Liopetriou and other Communities of the free Famagusta.

65062 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

The Local Plan emphasizes the qualitative improvement of spatial policies for development, so that they are in line with modern urban planning trends and market needs, ensuring the urban-agricultural character of the areas, with an emphasis on agriculture / animal husbandry, manufacturing activity, protection and management of the natural environment and the promotion of alternative mild forms of tourism.

65061 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

In closing, I would like to warmly thank the Ministers of Agriculture, Interior, Transport and Heads of Departments and all those who were involved not only in planning but also in the implementation of this important development project.

65060 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

I have already mentioned my friend, the late President of the Community Council of Liopetriou, Kyriakos Trisokkas, who hosted me months ago at the fish tavern located here. Unfortunately, I hadn't checked whether the project was running. And I told him when I will do the inauguration and he said President he has not started the work yet. And that's when I really got a shock, I did everything humanly possible, I intervened where I had to intervene so that today we are in an advanced stage of implementation.

65066 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou

May his memory be eternal, may he see us from where he is and rejoice because what he and his Community Council envisioned, as well as the current Community Leader, is becoming a reality.

As a small token of respect to Kyriakos, I present a plaque to his wife.”

65058 exclusive, Development Projects, inauguration, Potamos Liopetriou