**Committee Lambasts Government Over Limassol Sea Pollution**
On Wednesday, members of the House environment committee voiced their frustration regarding the ongoing pollution issues affecting the sea in Limassol. The committee's dissatisfaction was primarily directed at the environment department, which has maintained that its inspections have found no evidence of contamination, despite conflicting reports from local authorities.
Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis highlighted a concerning discrepancy, stating that a water sample taken from the area on August 11 was found to be contaminated. This revelation raised questions among committee members about the reliability of the environment department's assessments. Disy MP Michalis Kounounis expressed his bewilderment over the conflicting information, noting that inspections were being conducted at 29 locations twice a month, with analyses reportedly indicating no problems. "How is it possible, on the one hand, that we hear that the analyses are clear and on the other hand that we have such a finding?” he asked. Kounounis emphasized the need for authorities to shift from merely describing the pollution issue to actively addressing it.
The committee chairman, Elam MP Linos Papayiannis, pointed out that the pollution issue has persisted for nearly ten months and is not limited to Limassol alone. He expressed concern that no competent authority had convinced the committee members of the effectiveness of the current measures in place. Papayiannis indicated that the matter would be revisited in the near future and called for prompt action to determine necessary interventions.
Akel MP Marina Nikolaou urged for a more comprehensive approach to tackle the pollution problem, asserting that it cannot be resolved through piecemeal efforts. She advocated for the public release of all sampling results and called for an investigation into recent incidents at the Moni wastewater treatment plant and the drainage pipeline that discharges into Dasoudi beach. “Citizens have the right to know what is happening, whether there have been violations, and what measures are being taken,” Nikolaou stated. Additionally, she suggested increasing the number of inspectors and investigating potential sources of pollution, including sewage facilities, pipelines, industrial activities, and illegal discharges.
Alma MP Litsa Drousiotou echoed the need for improved coordination among the various services responsible for coastal monitoring. She questioned the accountability of officials when pollution issues are not addressed and noted that the problem has persisted for five to ten years without clear answers regarding its causes. Drousiotou also raised concerns about plans to utilize drones for monitoring the sea and identifying pollution sources, citing a lack of personnel to operate them. She criticized the government's "reactive approach," stating that in some cases, swimming has been deemed unsafe due to pollution.
Erma Stylianides from the Epsilon foundation called for immediate action rather than further discussions in committee settings. “We are tired of the committees and the sewage that we find every day in the sea,” she stated, urging the government to take responsibility for the situation without delay.
The committee's discussions underscore the urgency of addressing the pollution crisis in Limassol, as local officials and residents continue to grapple with the implications of contaminated waters on public health and the environment. As the situation develops, the environment committee is expected to continue its scrutiny of the government's response and push for effective solutions to safeguard the coastal waters of Limassol.