The die has been cast. The eight communities affected by the construction of the asphalt plant in Mitsero decided today to continue their fight to the end and are preparing for … war.
“The lies are over; the communities will no longer tolerate being made fools of, and in the same democratic manner as the state—peacefully—we will block access to the slaughterhouses, peacefully block access to the quarries, and peacefully cut off the passage to Nicosia.”
Ioannis Ioannou – Community Leader of Aredio
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We demand an immediate halt to the work and a dialogue to find solutions for the future of our region. Otherwise, our actions will escalate, with unpredictable consequences.”
Andreas Papanastasiou – Community Leader of Mitsero
The asphalt plant, as they point out, will be the final blow to the area and to the health of its residents, since the area already contains slaughterhouses, pigsties, livestock farms, and pig manure tanks, all of which drain into the fields.
“They’ve reduced us to third-class citizens and view our area as Nicosia’s dumping ground. I’d like to make a suggestion: if they’re going to pave the road, the area shouldn’t be called the Mitsero area—it should be labeled ‘Nicacia’s dumping ground.’”
Andreas Kalogerou – Community Leader of Menoiko
“Inside and around the pigsties, the ground is littered with waste; it’s scattered uncontrollably everywhere. Piles of dead pigs, strewn everywhere. Stinking ponds, unguarded, uncovered reservoirs, mountains of manure. Anyone who wants to can go see for themselves. Millions of flies, mosquitoes, rodents, packs of stray dogs. A constant and unbearable stench everywhere.”
Marios Makrygiannis – Community Leader of Kato Moni
“Over the past 20 years, we’ve had a 30–33% urbanization rate. We’re 35 kilometers from Nicosia. We are among the first communities, along with Kato Moni, to be classified as disadvantaged areas. In recent years, Orounta was removed from the list. Because they want to turn the triangle in our area into a dumping ground for our region.”
Kyriakos Kourelis – Community Leader of Orounta
At least 15,000 residents are affected.
“It is with regret that I realize that economic interests take precedence over the health of our residents and public health. A study must be conducted in our area that takes into account all the nuisances present in the region, not just the asphalt. If we cannot resolve this in the Cypriot courts, we will take it to the European courts.”
Angelos Argyrou – Community Leader of Agios Ioannis
“Mr. Chairman, I’m truly sorry; I hope we can meet in the next few hours. There’s no time to waste; the excuses are over. This asphalt could be moved to any other area.”
Sotiris Kyriakou – Community Leader of Agrokipia
“Our community is under attack,” the residents declare through their representatives.
“The consequences are tragic, and all medical organizations are issuing warnings. We cannot breathe in toxic pollutants because, behind closed doors, they decided to condemn us. We will not accept being the collateral damage of economic interests.”
Andri Vasiliou – Spokesperson for the Communities in Action initiative group
The protests will be spontaneous and, as it appears, will begin next week.
Watch the report by Kleio Vourkou:
