Those who choose to offer facile criticism today must first acknowledge the actual situation in which the Pentakomo Unit was taken over by the Water Development Department (TAY), states the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, noting that “we took over a neglected facility and are already implementing the solution.”

Responding to statements by the Secretary-General of AKEL, who visited Pentakomo today, the Ministry of Agriculture refers to “a facility with serious shortcomings, unmaintained equipment, and problems that raised public health concerns, with mobile equipment virtually immobilized, a fire suppression system out of service, and abandoned facilities.”

It states that this is a waste treatment facility “which was designed when the minister in charge was an AKEL official, and a criminal investigation is already underway regarding what we found upon taking over.”

The Ministry of Agriculture clarifies that “from the very first day of operation, the Waste Management Authority (TAY) has entered into more than 180 contracts for repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and the creation of a comprehensive security system from scratch—which has enabled the facility to remain operational and helped the Limassol district avoid a public health crisis.”

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He adds that “we inherited an abandoned infrastructure and, in a very short time, kept it running; at the same time, we did not limit ourselves to managing the situation we inherited but are carrying out all the necessary studies so that by 2027 there will be a new contractor and a modern, safe, and sustainable facility.”

As the Ministry notes, the roadmap toward 2027 is part of a broader waste management strategy that includes upgrading infrastructure, expanding separate collection, boosting recycling, promoting the circular economy, and full compliance with the European acquis.

He notes that “having learned from the mistakes of the past, we are moving forward with the next steps on a solid foundation and in constant collaboration with all stakeholders, toward solutions that will stand the test of time—solutions that are not one-dimensional, but multidimensional and collective—and in this context, we are moving steadily forward.”

The Ministry of Agriculture states that “the transition to a modern and sustainable waste management system is a shared national goal,” assuring that “it remains committed to implementing the actions that have been set in motion and to collaborating with all stakeholders, so that the country can achieve its environmental goals and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for its citizens.”

Source: CNA