The Democratic Rally (DISY) has appointed former Transport, Communications and Works Ministry permanent secretary Alecos Michaelides as a special adviser to assist in developing proposals to tackle Cyprus's traffic congestion problems and improve public transport.
DISY president Annita Demetriou said the issue has become one of the party's priorities and stressed that planning for solutions must begin without further delay.
Focus on congestion and public transport
Michaelides will contribute to the development of proposals aimed at:
- Reducing traffic congestion.
- Upgrading public transport.
- Improving daily mobility for citizens.
Demetriou said his extensive experience in planning and implementing major infrastructure projects would add valuable expertise to the effort.
She argued that time lost in traffic and increased fuel consumption impose significant costs on workers, families and businesses.
According to Demetriou, an effective transport system is both a quality-of-life issue and a prerequisite for sustainable urban development.
Michaelides calls for long-term planning
Michaelides thanked Demetriou for the appointment and said he intends to use his experience to identify weaknesses and assess which interventions are needed.
He said proposed solutions should be based on real data, clear priorities and measurable outcomes.
According to Michaelides, addressing congestion requires a combination of measures involving:
- Transport infrastructure.
- Decentralisation.
- Better transport planning.
- Expanded mobility options.
He stressed that consistency in both planning and implementation will be essential.
"It is a complex problem that cannot be solved in the short term but requires long-term planning that should begin to be implemented immediately," he said.
Who is Alecos Michaelides?
Michaelides is a civil engineer and member of ETEK, with postgraduate training in public administration.
He served as:
- Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (2012-2019).
- Director of the Public Works Department (2007-2012).
He has also served as chairman of:
- The Cyprus Ports Authority.
- The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).
- The Contractors Registration and Control Board.
His career has included the management of public organisations, construction contracts and public-private partnerships, with extensive experience in project coordination and organisational leadership.
