BirdLife Cyprus sent open letters today to the Town Planning and Housing Department and the Department of Environment, raising questions and seeking clarifications regarding the licensing process and terms for the port project in Pentakomo.

In its announcement, the organization highlights major discrepancies in material quantities between the Environmental Opinion and the government tender documents. According to BirdLife Cyprus, “this means the project was evaluated using incorrect data, misleading the assessment of its real needs and impacts.”

The letters also point out delays in designating the “Agios Georgios Alamanou” area as part of the Natura 2000 Network, a situation that “leaves a critical area without the necessary institutional protection.”

BirdLife Cyprus further expresses concerns over possible “salami-slicing” of the environmental evaluation process, as the planned asphalting of the road leading to the port was not included in the initial assessment.

Additionally, the organization questions potential non-compliance with the conditions of the Planning Approval. Specifically, it notes that planning authorities had required minimizing the number of warehouses and considering their consolidation to reduce visual impact on the area’s white cliffs. However, the tender’s construction plans display eight separate buildings, raising serious doubts about the project’s compliance.

BirdLife Cyprus Director, Melpo Apostolidou, stated: “The Pentakomo case highlights serious weaknesses in how environmental assessments are conducted and project licenses are issued in Cyprus. From major discrepancies in construction materials to possible violations of approval terms, it is clear that citizens have the right to know the truth and demand transparency and accountability.”