An on-site inspection of the beaches of Pernera and Konnos in Paralimni was carried out in the morning by the Famagusta District, the Mayor and members of the Municipal Council of Paralimni, representatives of the CTO and the Departments of Environment, Water Development, Fisheries and Marine Research, Municipality Paralimni Sewerage.
The visit took place after yesterday's decision of the Ministry of Interior to end all work on the beaches of Paralimni.
In statements, after a visit to Pernera beach, Famagusta District Governor George Chrysafinis said that after yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Interior "an on-site inspection is being carried out today with the competent Departments and Services so that we can reach a decision for the work being done here. "
Regarding the issue of illegalities on Pernera beach, the District Governor said that "there were no appropriate permits, something that the Minister of Interior himself stressed yesterday, so we are here today to see how we can proceed to make it happen. restoration of the site in view of the arrival of tourists very soon in the area ".
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Chrysafinis said that we will convey to the Minister of Interior the image we obtained from the visit to the beaches of Pernera and Konnos "so that the appropriate decisions can be made".
For his part, the Mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, said that "both the Mayor and the Municipal Council unanimously remain in our position that, based on the Legislation, we have the authority to carry out these projects. It is a different view that exists and we remain on this issue. "
He added that the decisions taken yesterday during the meeting at the Ministry of Interior "find us in agreement because it will finally be applied for the first time, uniformly throughout Cyprus the same treatment in matters concerning the coastline of the island, something that did not happen in the past . We say that some people may have targeted the Municipality of Paralimni, and I am not referring to government services ".
Asked to mention by whom the Municipality of Paralimni was targeted, Mr. Pyrillis said addressing the journalists "I think you see how some people behave on Social Media and we leave that to the crisis of the people. It is a matter of some interests that are affected and which have the power through Social Media, and taking advantage of the sensitivity of the people, who are rightly sensitive, issues are presented in their own way ".
The Mayor of Paralimni reiterated "that we fully agree with yesterday's announcement of the Ministry of Interior" while regarding the case of the works on Skoutari beach that will be brought before the Court, he noted that "surely the Court will decide which of the two sides is right".
What is important at the moment, he continued "is to complete the works because in this place from three in the afternoon and after the summer season there will be around 1,500 tourists and it is certainly not right to see this situation that exists now ».
To another question, Theodoros Pyrillis answered that "we have decided with the Minister of Interior that we will be in consultation. The Municipality has suspended its work, not because it has changed its position but for reasons of respect to the Ministry of Interior and the government ".
Asked to report whether the Municipality of Paralimni is affected by the decision to have guards on the beaches, Mr. Pyrillis said that "there are already guards. It is not something new that will be created at the moment "he said and added that" the coastline is guarded, I think there are guards in all the District Administrations and they work. "If the Ministry, or the District Administration or anyone else wants to put another 10 guards, I say put 15, because there are serious problems at night on the tourist beaches".
We as a Municipality continued "we have requested from the Ministry of Interior three new emergency positions for the duration of the tourist season to monitor the coastline at night. During the day we have our own services that are located on the beaches and are mostly lifeguards and then the coastline will be monitored by three guards of the Municipal Service until the morning ".
Asked whether there are illegalities on beaches that have been done by private individuals, the Mayor of Paralimni replied that "there are many but it is something we will see later today. "Even at this moment, illegalities are taking place, the Municipality will report the specific cases and it is a matter for the competent Departments how they will act".
Commenting that work may be carried out on beaches in other provinces, Theodoros Pyrillis said that "this is happening" while addressing the journalists he said that "you saw what was happening in Larnaca and we did not see anything either on social media or in the media. I have mentioned that some work is being done near the Princess hotel but also in two other places, according to information and photos that were sent to me ".
The Mayor called on the "competent" to see the specific issue, since as he explained "it is not my job, however I have an obligation to mention it".
KYPE / Famagusta.News