Mitsero area residents protest asphalt plant

Residents of communities in the Mitsero region gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday to protest the construction of an asphalt plant in the area. Meanwhile, the Environmentalists’ Movement said on Monday it backed communities in their efforts to withdraw the plans. The movement joined Sunday’s protest on the Ayios Ioannis to Kato Moni road, saying the area was already heavily affected by nuisance activities. It called for the proposed facility to be assessed based on the area’s cumulative environmental impact, capacity and potential exposure of residents to pollutants. The group is also calling for work on the project to stop and for an updated, independent scientific assessment of its possible health and environmental effects. It said affected communities must have a meaningful role in decisions concerning the project. The movement also criticised government planning in the area, arguing that locating potentially polluting activities there is not a sustainable solution.