The bids for the Larnaca marina dredging project are being evaluated and the contractor will soon begin work, while the signature for the study for the city's port and marina by TAIDEP (Private Public Property Development Fund of Greece) is expected in May, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeadis told CNA.
"Early last August, it was reported that renovation and dredging works would be carried out in the Larnaca marina, while the Council of Ministers approved an amount of 1,5 million euros to carry out the works. For the dredging works, we put out bids, which we received and are evaluating, and will very soon be awarded to a contractor, while we will also see works being implemented within the Larnaca marina," he said.
At the same time, the Minister of Transport told CNA, "an amount was given for the renovation of the marina and the repair of structures, which suffered damage and had not been maintained for several years, will soon begin." Therefore, he noted, "the first project that we promised is progressing and being implemented and we will soon see the crews entering the marina to carry out the specific work."
Regarding the tender for the construction of the Yacht Club building, the Minister of Transport said that "the Municipality of Larnaca had requested to undertake the tender and we agreed to this specific request, given that there is a very good cooperation with the Municipality and last November the amount of 240 thousand euros was given. However, in order to implement the tender, the Municipality must follow all legal procedures, including the process of preparing a viability study, which is provided for in the Legislation."
He also noted that “neither the Municipality of Larnaca nor the Ministry have any intention of violating the Legislation, since it is something that must be done.” As Mr. Vafeadis said, in a communication he had with the Mayor of Larnaca, he told him that “in case there is an extra cost, we will help,” expressing “anxiety” because - as he explained - “we want to see this specific tender end as soon as possible so that we can proceed to the next stage, which is the construction of the project.”
Continuing, the Minister of Transport said that in the last meeting we had, in the presence of ETEK and the Jury, decisions were made to move the building (Naval Club) to a new location and in combination with this particular building with Europe Square, a new breath will be given to the center of Larnaca. "For this reason, we want the project to proceed as soon as possible because it will completely change the city center," he said.
Regarding the construction of the project, the Minister said that "various options for the financing method were discussed with the Mayor, with Andreas Vyras rejecting the public or private sector contract method, which left us with only one option, that of the construction study, the well-known Design and Bit. The Mayor stated that the City Hall does not have the necessary expertise to implement the project with this specific method."
However, he continued, "because we always want to provide solutions, the Department of Public Works, which has a lot of experience in these projects, has volunteered and will implement it, with immediate priority. That is, as soon as the competition is over, the Department of Public Works will proceed with the implementation of this specific project." He noted that "what we had promised the Municipality of Larnaca has taken a real path forward and is being implemented."
The Minister also referred to the study for the port and marina of Larnaca and said that "we all want the project to be done and we want to be sure of what we are going to implement. However, taking into account the serious problems that arose in the past and the setbacks we had, because the decisions probably proceeded faster than they should have, now our movements must be careful and the decisions must be in cooperation with local officials, based on thorough studies."
Within May, he continued, “we expect the signature for the preparation of the study by TAIDEP (Private Public Property Development Fund of Greece) and thus this specific action is underway.” Mr. Vafeadis emphasized that “all projects in Larnaca, and especially in the port and marina, are carried out in full consultation and consultation with the local authorities, members of parliament and all city officials participating in the Ad Hoc Committee.”
Our goal, said the Minister of Transport, "is common and this is none other than the completion of the project, as we all envision it for the good of the city and future generations."
However, Mr. Vafeadis also referred to a point that, as he said, “was not recognized.” As he said, “we were forced to terminate a contract, because that was what the contract required, but at the same time we managed not to stop the port’s operation for a minute. We immediately took over the management, all the work was started, today we are back to normality, there may be some small problems, but a huge contract was terminated without any problems, while the largest number of personnel continues to be employed at the port even today.”
According to the Minister of Transport, "we have managed to successfully manage a very difficult situation, especially with regard to the management of the port, and we are now moving forward to bring the project back on track, as agreed with the local community. This is the message we want to send, that is, we are moving forward with what we have agreed, with firm steps to implement everything that is needed, to see the project implemented without further setbacks."
Concluding, the Minister of Transport told CNA that "we will continue steadily with the same seriousness and with the same purpose which is to implement the Larnaca port and marina project. Our intention is to move forward, to implement projects aimed at the good of the city and future generations."
Source: KYPE
