liopetri river — The Liopetri river project has been underway for six years, with no completion date in sight. Originally slated for delivery in March 2023, the project has faced significant delays and cost overruns, amounting to at least two million euros, as reported by Phileleftheros.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Initiated in 2020, the redevelopment aimed to enhance the area but has instead left local businesses struggling. Margarita Nikolaou, who has operated a family restaurant since 1963, expressed her frustration: “It was a very beautiful river, it did not need this kind of change. It needed some walkways so people could walk, some lighting, but that was all. Now it has lost its charm.” Her restaurant has remained closed for five years, affecting the livelihoods of ten families.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Local fishermen have also been impacted, with many leaving the area for other fishing shelters. Spyros Zambas, a 75-year-old fisherman, lamented the state of the river: “The river is dead, they destroyed it. It has been six years and not even half of it is finished. When will it end?” He asserted that the majority of fishermen did not support the project, countering claims that some had requested it.
Community leader Markos Koumis has been on the receiving end of numerous complaints regarding the river’s current state. While he acknowledged some progress following the termination of the previous contractor, he shared his disappointment about the project’s design and its impact on the community. “As it was, the river was more beautiful. It was the most picturesque fishing shelter that everyone loved,” Koumis stated, expressing concern over the prolonged delays.
In November 2024, the Interior Ministry terminated the contracts of both the contractor and the project engineer, leading to a restructuring of the project into three stages. The Town Planning Department has since launched procedures for gradual completion. The first stage, which involved finishing the road network for access to fishermen and the two restaurants, was completed in July 2025 at a cost of 469,000 euros plus VAT.
The second stage focuses on constructing quays to enable professional fishermen to return. Initially estimated at 2,150,000 euros, the tender faced challenges, resulting in a second tender nearly double the budget. Construction for this stage began on February 26, 2026, with a contractual duration of four months for section A, while section B is set for 12 months.
The final stage encompasses the completion of all remaining infrastructure, including an entrance pavilion, bicycle parking, a fishing education centre, car parks, a pedestrian pathway, and landscaping.
Audit findings have raised concerns about the project’s management. The original estimate was set at 8.1 million euros, but costs have surged due to ongoing issues, with the Audit Service identifying poor workmanship as a significant factor. The former Auditor General had warned of these problems as early as April 2022, while the current Auditor General reiterated the need for contract termination in a memorandum dated November 8, 2024.
