Acting Paphos mayor Angelos Onisiforou has renewed calls for a coordinated response to conditions in the Minoos area of Kato Paphos, commonly known as the "Fish Village", arguing that periodic clean-up operations are not resolving the underlying issues.
In a written statement, Onisiforou said conditions in the area once again raise serious concerns.
According to him, the site was cleaned approximately two months ago and a further on-site inspection was carried out about a week ago.
Despite those efforts, he said, conditions have deteriorated again.
Individuals continue to reside within the park and surrounding public spaces, which are also being used for day-to-day living activities.
At the same time, rubbish accumulation, disorder and signs of neglect have reappeared.
"A clean-up every now and then is not enough"
Onisiforou stressed that the problem cannot be addressed through occasional clean-up operations alone.
"The issue is not solved by carrying out a clean-up every now and then. A permanent, organised and meaningful response is required."
He called for coordinated action by all relevant authorities.
The acting mayor argued that the situation cannot be viewed solely as a municipal responsibility, describing it as a complex issue involving social welfare, public order, management of public spaces and enforcement of existing legislation.
"The resolution of such a complex social and public-order issue is not the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Paphos."
He urged all competent authorities to activate the procedures and mechanisms available to them.
Residents continue to raise concerns
The issue was highlighted previously in June, when Onisiforou described conditions in Minoos as reflecting neglect and social degradation, noting that the area had originally been designed as a landmark location for Kato Paphos.
Residents remain at the centre of the discussion, with Onisiforou saying locals have repeatedly lodged complaints about conditions in the area.
According to him, residents continue to submit reports and visual evidence, only to be referred from one service to another without meaningful action.
He said citizens should not have to repeatedly raise the same concerns and called for a specific, coordinated and effective intervention.
No targeting of vulnerable individuals
Onisiforou emphasised that efforts to address the issue should not result in the stigmatisation of vulnerable people.
"The aim is not to target or harass anyone."
Instead, he said, authorities should focus on enforcing the law, activating social-support structures where necessary and protecting public and communal spaces.
The Minoos area, in the heart of Kato Paphos, has once again become a subject of public debate.
According to Onisiforou, repeated clean-up operations appear to address only the symptoms of the problem rather than its causes.
Without a permanent and coordinated plan of action, he warned, the situation risks repeating itself.
