By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
We are going through yet another month in which the administrative investigation on Akamas remains on the shelf and once again the feeling of insecurity and concern about a possible cover-up of responsibilities is growing and unfortunately seems to be solidifying.
When the Authorities decided to order an investigation into the responsibilities over the Akamas road network, it was almost certain that we would end up in the situation we are in now, that is, where the government is playing hide and seek because God knows what they are trying to patch up. Whatever the case may be, justice takes another blow while the competent authorities remain characteristically indifferent.
When some environmental protection organisations sounded the alarm over Akamas (not just about the road network), the previous government and its ministers treated them with arrogance, showing that they would not allow the issue to move in the direction that a handful of people wanted it to go.
Also, within Parliament, Akamas was treated as something unimportant, except for the profit of those who constantly put obstacles in the way of biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainable development.
Not all the parties, that is, since in Parliament only AKEL (and to some extent the Greens under the presidency of Charalambos Theopemptou) had and still has clear positions on the Akamas Peninsula, with constant interventions and a demand for full transparency.
And we are called to consider this: if there are one or two parties in Parliament interested in saving Akamas, how much reassurance can this provide to citizens and local communities? The continuous struggle for Akamas’ protection will bring results, because let us not forget that if all these people, individuals and collectives had not been resisting, one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus would be doomed to become a source of enrichment, killing its natural beauty day by day.
People in and around the process are fighting day and night to prevent the worst from happening, even against a government that is trying to buy time by playing games. As any serious state would do, those involved must be held accountable to the public so that the whole process can proceed smoothly. Unfortunately, we are not a serious state.
The responsible ministry and the President – who is not taking any initiative – are pushing the situation to the limit, raising obvious concern that things will not be done in the interests of citizens and nature. This certainly will not pass.
Source: RESISTANCE EXPECTED ON AKAMAS
