President Nikos Christodoulides referred to more than 75 projects with a budget exceeding €230 million for the Paphos district, during a broad meeting with Paphos bodies, which he chaired, as part of his tour of the municipalities and communities of Cyprus.
Speaking during the 16 September meeting, he, among other things, noted that Paphos is gaining enhanced strategic importance in the field of defence and security, with the upgrade of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base, in cooperation with the United States, and the modernisation of critical infrastructure.
Cooperation with the United States, he stressed, confirms Cyprus' regional role as a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
This visit by President Christodoulides on Tuesday was a follow-up to a similar one that already took place in Polis Chrysochous in December 2024, during which the President inaugurated the institution of pan-district gatherings in the context of direct contact with local bodies and societies.
The Government, said the President, is, with steady steps, continuing the implementation of the vision for a Cyprus that changes and develops in a balanced way, giving the Paphos district the position it deserves.
As he mentioned, through a comprehensive network of projects and policies, Paphos is becoming a reference point for tourism, culture, education, health, social care, infrastructure and the green transition.
Paphos Marina
The announcement of the Paphos Marina is a landmark project, which is expected to elevate the city to a leading maritime and tourist destination, he also said.
The President emphasised that this is a development of 165 thousand square meters, with the capacity to accommodate 1,000 pleasure boats, which will strengthen the economy, create new jobs and overall upgrade the province's tourism product.
At the same time, the creation of a Cultural Park and an amphitheatre in Achelia, the digital upgrade of the Archaeological Museum and the interventions in emblematic monuments, such as the Ancient Odeon and the pedestrian bridges in the Chrysopolitissa area, constitute substantial investments in our culture and historical heritage, he added.
Education
The President of the Republic noted that when it comes to education, the Government is investing in quality and modern school infrastructure.
With the expansion of the institution of the All-Day High School and the operation of six new optional all-day schools, students and families are supported, while at the same time important infrastructure projects are being implemented: the 1st Kindergarten and the 7th Primary School of Ayios Kendeas are being converted into new, modern High School and Primary School, the Primary School of Timi is being upgraded with an investment of €2 million, the 1st Primary School of Chlorakas with €4 million, while the High School and the Technical School of Emba are being expanded, he said.
Health
In the health sector, Christodoulides announced that projects are being completed that are radically changing the Paphos General Hospital. The Accident and Emergency Department is being strengthened with €3 million, the Rapid Response Clinic has already served over 1,700 patients in a few months, while investments of €5 million are being directed towards the creation of a Day Hospitalisation Unit and the upgrading of the Paediatric and Gynecological Units. In addition, a new Pulmonary Clinic is being created.
Social care
Social care is also at the centre of this actions, as he noted. A project that falls within this framework is, Christodoulides contimued, the construction of the Model Centre for Long-Term Care and Occupation for the Elderly, which will offer accommodation, day care and creative occupation services. In collaboration with the Local Government, the Nefelis Taliotis Retirement Home in Chloraka is also being promoted. The Government is proving in practice that supporting the elderly is not just a priority, but a duty, the President said.
Infrastructure and sustainable mobility
In the field of infrastructure and sustainable mobility, investments are being made in road projects that are changing everyday life, he added. The Paphos-Polis highway, with additional access via Mesogi, the completion of the new road connecting Paphos and Geroskipou with the Airport, the Western and Northern Bypasses, as well as the widening of central avenues, are upgrading road safety, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing the development potential of the province, he said.
At the same time, he continued, with projects such as the creation of a new Craft District in Inia and the regeneration of central community cores, the local economy is supported and development opportunities are provided to each community.
Green transition
He pointed out that the green transition is gaining particular weight with projects that respond to chronic challenges. The installation of a mobile desalination unit in Kissonerga worth €14.7 million, the sponsorship plans for small private desalination units in hotels, the development of breakwater plans for the southwestern coasts and the construction of a fire station in Peyia worth €6.7 million constitute strategic investments for environmental protection, strengthening resilience to climate change and the safety of citizens, he said.
Through this network of projects, the Government is not limited to improving everyday life, but is strategically investing in sectors that will determine the course of Paphos and Cyprus for the coming decades, the President of the Republic noted.
The combination of tourism, culture, education, health, social welfare, infrastructure, defense and green development composes the province's new development narrative, he continued.
Cyprus is changing, with the Government proving in practice that development is not a privilege of a few, but a right of all, he underlined.
Tourism-New Paphos Marina
President Christodoulides announced the tender for the new Paphos marina project, which concerns a 165 thousand square meter project, with the capacity to accommodate 1,000 pleasure boats.
This, he noted, is an emblematic development that is expected to strengthen the tourism product, create hundreds of new jobs and elevate Paphos to a leading marine and nautical destination.
Culture and historical heritage
In the field of culture and historical heritage, he announced the creation of a Cultural Park and an amphitheater in Achelia, in the Municipality of Hierokipia. He also announced the digital upgrade of the Paphos Archaeological Museum, upgrading works on pedestrian bridges at the Chrysopolitissa archaeological site, as well as improvements to the Ancient Odeon of Paphos.
With these projects, he said, Paphos is strengthening its cultural role and acquiring modern infrastructure for international events, he added.
Education and school infrastructure
Regarding education and school infrastructure, President Christodoulides announced the expansion of the All-Day High School institution and the operation of 6 new all-day schools with upgraded programs. He also mentioned the creation of new school units with the conversion of the 1st Kindergarten and the 7th Primary School of Agios Kendeas into a new modern High School and a new Primary School.
Additionally, he referred to the upgrades of the Timi Primary School (€2 million), and the Chloraka First Primary School (€4 million) and the expansion of the Lyceum and Technical School of Agios Charalambos Emba.
These are investments that create the school of the future, with an emphasis on modern learning and student safety, he said.
Health
In the health sector, he referred to the expansion of the Accident and Emergency Department (Paphos General Hospital) at a cost of €3 million.
He noted that over 1,700 patients visited the Emergency Department in three months of operation, corresponding to 35% of the TAEP's visitors.
It was also reported on the Day Hospitalization Unit in the Pediatrics and Gynecology Unit at a cost of €5 million and the New Pulmonary Clinic at a cost of €100 thousand.
Welfare state
Additionally, he announced, within the framework of the State's social policy, the construction of a Model Center for Long-Term Care and Employment for the Elderly and referred to the project of the "Nefelis Taliotis" Retirement Home in Chloraka, in collaboration with the local community. Projects that demonstrate, as he said, the State's practical concern for the elderly.
Infrastructure and sustainable mobility
He also announced the creation of the Paphos - Polis motorway with additional access via Mesogi and referred to the projects concerning the Western Bypass of Paphos Road at a cost of €11 million, the Northern Bypass of Geroskipou at a cost of €4.5 million, the widening of Embas Avenue at a cost of €9.5 million, as well as the improvement of Apostolou Pavlou Avenue, at a cost of €7 million.
These projects improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and create better connectivity, he added.
Green transition and civil protection
Regarding the Government's policy for the green transition and civil protection, he announced the mobile desalination unit in Kissonerga at a cost of €14.7 million, grants for small private desalination units in hotels, breakwaters for the southwestern coasts of Paphos and Geroskipou and the construction of a new fire station in Peyia at a cost of €6.7 million.
These strategic interventions are for the safety of citizens and the protection of the environment, as he said.
Defence and security
The President also spoke about the upgrade of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in collaboration with the United States and the new road connecting Paphos - Yeroskipou with the Airport.
Projects in communities
In relation to the projects in the communities, he referred to the renovation of squares and main roads in Inia (€1.5 million), Kelokedaron (€2.5 million) and Kouklia (€2.5 million), the completion of the Tremithoussa - Mesogi bridge (€3 million), the upgrading of the road network in Koili, Tsada, Tala, Tremithoussa, Mesa Chorio and Armou. He also spoke about the Sustainable Development Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park and the establishment of the Akamas Local Coordination Office.
Development, he said, reaches every community, with projects that upgrade the daily lives of residents.
The President of the Republic stated that as an executive branch, the government operates on behalf of the Cypriot people, ensuring the public interest, adding that they will not accept solutions that go beyond the framework of legality. He also stressed that where there is a problematic contract, it will be terminated.
- The projects are listed below:
Tourism-New Paphos Marina
- Announcement of a project of 165 thousand sq.m.
- Capacity to accommodate 1,000 pleasure boats
- An emblematic development that is expected to strengthen the tourism product, create hundreds of new jobs and elevate Paphos to a leading marine and nautical destination.
Culture and Historical Heritage
- Creation of a Cultural Park and amphitheatre in Achelia, Municipality of Hierokipia.
- Digital upgrade of the Paphos Archaeological Museum.
- Upgrades to pedestrian bridges at the archaeological site of Chrysopolitissa.
- Improvements to the Ancient Odeon of Paphos.
Education and School Infrastructure
- Expansion of the All-Day High School institution and operation of 6 new all-day schools with upgraded programs.
- New school units: Conversion of the 1st Kindergarten and the 7th Primary School of Agios Kendeas into a new modern High School and a new Primary School.
- Upgrades: Timi Primary School (€2 million), Chlorakas First Primary School (€4 million).
- Expansion of the Lyceum and Technical School of Agios Charalambos Emba.
Health
- Expansion of the Accident and Emergency Department (Paphos General Hospital) – €3 million.
- Emergency Department: over 1,700 patients in three months of operation, corresponding to 35% of the ER's visitors.
- Day Care Unit in the Pediatrics and Gynecology Unit – €5 million.
- New Pulmonology Clinic – €100,000.
Welfare State
- Construction of a Model Centre for Long-Term Care and Occupation for the Elderly
- "Nefelis Taliotis" Retirement Home in Chloraka, in collaboration with the local community.
Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility
- Paphos - Polis motorway with additional access via Mesogi.
- Paphos Western Bypass Road – €11 million.
- Yeroskipou Northern Bypass – €4.5 million.
- Widening of Embas Avenue – €9.5 million.
- Improvement of Apostolos Pavlou Avenue – €7 million
Green Transition and Civil Protection
- Mobile desalination plant in Kissonerga – €14.7 million
- Grants for small private desalination units in hotels.
- Breakwaters for the southwestern coasts of Paphos and Yeroskipou.
- Construction of a new fire station in Peyia – €6.7 million.
- Strategic interventions for the safety of citizens and the protection of the environment.
Defence and Security
- Upgrading of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in cooperation with the United States.
- New road connecting Paphos - Yeroskipou with the Airport.
Projects in Communities
- Redevelopment of squares and main streets in Inia (€1.5 million), Kelokedaron (€2.5 million) and Kouklia (€2.5 million).
- Completion of the Tremithoussa – Mesogi bridge (€3 million).
- Upgrading of the road network in Koili, Tsada, Tala, Tremithousa, Mesa Chorio and Armou.
- Sustainable Development Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park and establishment of the Akamas Local Coordination Office.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
