Cyprus’ Transport Minister, Alexis Vafeades, is set to present a long-awaited study on the future of Larnaca port on Friday, as pressure mounts over infrastructure delays and controversial changes to the country’s traffic camera system.
Speaking before the parliamentary Transport Committee on Thursday, Vafeades confirmed that the Ministry would outline findings prepared by the state holding company and Dutch consultants, in cooperation with MPs. The presentation will also include options for moving forward and an update on a request to revive the terminated Kition concession agreement relating to the port and marina.
“Our intention is to accelerate the process as quickly as possible,” the Minister said. He added that proposals would be tabled on how procedures and timelines might be shortened, while remaining within the bounds of legality.
Vafeades stressed that the government had sought guidance from the Legal Service to ensure decisions are taken within a proper legal framework, explaining that this had contributed to delays in issuing formal responses. The conclusions will be announced during a meeting in Larnaca on Friday.
Road projects progressing
The Minister also briefed MPs on major roadworks across the country, stating that projects presented alongside the Ministry’s October budget were moving ahead. These include motorway schemes as well as significant urban works in Nicosia and Limassol.
He said the aim was to improve quality of life and ease congestion through completion of the road network. “We expect tangible results once these projects are completed,” he noted.
Regarding the Paphos–Polis Chrysochous motorway, Vafeades said the first section, tendered last August, had faced appeals which were rejected by the Tenders Review Authority, allowing the process to restart. Studies for the Polis Chrysochous–Stroumpi stretch, planned as a four-lane road, have been completed, with environmental approvals and final tender decisions still pending.
On the Limassol–Saittas motorway, he said works up to Palodia had been completed and the next phases were under review. The project aims to connect mountainous areas with urban centres, improving access to employment, healthcare and education. The government is also working towards completion of the Nicosia ring road and the tendering of two phases of the northern Limassol bypass.
Political reaction
Committee chairman Alekos Tryfonidis said MPs would respect the Minister’s intention to make formal announcements on Larnaca port following legal advice from the Attorney General’s office.
However, he emphasised the Committee’s strong desire to see progress on the Saittas–Limassol road despite reservations expressed by the Game and Fauna Service, citing the need to improve access to rural communities.
Tryfonidis also confirmed that the Astromeritis–Evrychou road remains on schedule for delivery between late March and early April, following a three-month extension requested by the contractor.
Concerns were raised over proposals affecting residential areas in Lakatamia, where planning authorities have reportedly designed a sunken four-lane road with an additional four lanes above ground between Makariou Avenue and the Tseri junction — a plan local residents strongly oppose.
AKEL MP Valentinos Fakontis argued that several road projects are experiencing “huge delays”, with some effectively stalled, placing a burden on society.
Traffic camera fine reform
The session also addressed changes to Cyprus’ traffic camera system. Fakontis said that from March, legislation passed in 2024 introducing a scaled fine system at traffic lights will finally come into force. The fixed €300 penalty is expected to fall to €85 under the new arrangement.
He noted that it had taken two years and approximately €1.5 million paid to the private contractor to amend the relevant software.
DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias called for refunds for drivers who had already paid higher fines, urging the Minister to apply the 2024 legislation retrospectively. He criticised what he described as an unprecedented situation in which implementation of the law depended on adjustments by a private company.
Vafeades has undertaken to examine the matter further, as scrutiny intensifies over both infrastructure delivery and the governance of public contracts.