Larnaca’s new mayor Andreas Vyras knows there is no magic wand and refuses to say big words over what he will achieve by the end of his five-year term.
But he has the will to shake things up and see the scandal-ridden coastal town, usually described as the island’s ‘poor relative’, take substantial steps forward.
“And where there is a will there is a way, nothing is impossible if you work hard, collectively and above party politics,” he said.
The 38-year-old is a former head of the Central Co-op Bank’s Debt Recovery Department.
“I’m by nature conciliatory, I will avoid tension and seek compromise solutions to long-standing problems that have left Larnaca behind; we want the town to take positive steps, to go forward,” he added.
Top priority for the Opposition Akel-affiliated mayor is not just the implementation of much-needed big development projects, but also tackling daily ‘ordeals’ such as run-down roads, anti-flooding infrastructure and lack of green areas.
Vyras, who was not part of the former municipal board, also wants controversial decisions such as the refusal to grant a licence to energy giants to operate from Larnaca to be put aside.
“When this issue was raised, yes, Akel councilors were against it ,along with almost all the parties, it is an issue we have to leave behind, the decision was taken and we have to respect it.
“This issue had divided the town, it stirred turmoil, we have to leave it behind; my personal view is that the port is too small and in the heart of the city; our best beach, that of Phinikoudes, is next to it, if something went wrong it would be disastrous.”
Only Houston-based Noble Energy is still present in Larnaca, just maintaining storage space. All other oil and gas companies planning to drill offshore Cyprus will be based in Limassol.
Larnaca’s former mayor Andreas Louroutziatis had to step down following corruption charges against him, with a number of financial scandals surfacing after the collapse of the economy back in 2013.
Six hopefuls ran for the mayoral seat in December’s elections, which Vyras won with 35.47% of the vote, followed by Petros Christodoulou (25.95%), Alexis Michaelides (24.27%), Andreas Petrou (8.26%), Louis Demetriou (4.67%) and Giorgos Constantinou (1.37%).
Marina and other big projects
Implementation of the ambitious Larnaca marina project and removal of the oil storage units “which are still there despite repeated deadlines” need urgent attention, Vyras said.
Larnaca’s historic old part needs a face-lift and traffic congestion is also a problem that needs urgent solution and EU structural funds are there for this ambitious project.
But the former board’s disunity and inability to take decisions have put €18 million of EU structural funds in jeopardy and this is something Vyras wants to turn around.
“We now have a new tender for Larnaca’s port and marina; by March tenders will close, we’ll take it from there…we are also talking again with the Russian investor of the highest hotel that was going to be built at Phinikoudes but it never was, we are re-negotiating.
“Big projects were torpedoed and there are reasons for that, but, like I said we should look ahead not behind. To implement small and big decisions you first need to have an effective structure within the municipality, and that’s what we are trying to set up right now.”
Since his election, Vyras has had meetings with both Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos and Communications and Works Minister Marios Demetriades.
The controversial issue of MacKenzie Beach was raised with Hasikos who is the incumbent guardian of Turkish Cypriot property, which includes the popular area.
“We have to find a solution with all that private enterprise development there; it is as if it stands on moving sand, a mutually-agreed compromise solution to this problem is a must.”
Just like all others, the Municipality is deeply indebted, owing over €34 million to banks and some €30 million to the Employees Investment Fund. Plus, it is faced with serious liquidity problems.
However, the Municipality is owed some €17 million – money that was not collected because of bad administration, Vyras said.
“The municipality collected money from beaches this year and the total amount was over €1.3 million. In previous years, when this was in the hands of private companies our revenue was about €120,000 only, annually.
“This shows that proper administration can bring in a lot more much-needed revenue. The new board has indicated the intention for cooperation is there, that’s the only way to achieve results.”
The 26-member board is made up of 11 councilors from ruling Disy, seven from Akel, three from centre Diko, two from socialist Edek and one each from Citizens Alliance, far-right Elam and the Solidarity Movement.
Cyprus weekly
