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Akamas Roadworks Under Fire: Report Reveals 16 Environmental Breaches

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 2, 2025

A damning new report on the controversial roadworks in Akamas National Forest Park has landed on the desks of an ad hoc committee tasked with evaluating the project. The findings, compiled by ASD Hyperstatic Engineering Design on behalf of the forestry department, highlight 16 major violations of environmental regulations and administrative oversights in the first phase of construction.

Key Findings: A Trail Of Violations

The report outlines critical issues, including rainwater inflow from Peyia developments that have damaged key roads, particularly the stretch linking White River Beach to the park’s entrance. The first directive? Immediate repairs and a long-term solution to prevent further erosion.

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Other key recommendations include:

Erosion control: Alternative solutions must be proposed, and all existing retaining walls must be removed. Safer, environmentally friendly methods must be used to stabilize road inclines.
Toxeftra Beach safeguards: Existing walls near Toxeftra Beach should be completely demolished, with new barriers designed to protect fragile sandstone formations while preventing vehicle and pedestrian damage. No new walls will be allowed unless proven essential for safety.
Wildlife protection: All remaining walls must incorporate wildlife passages, as required by the game service.
Infrastructure rollback: The water supply cable must be removed responsibly, with environmental restoration measures in place. New sources of firefighting water must be identified.
Natura 2000 compliance: Special protection measures are needed for olive and carob forests and other habitats within the Natura 2000 protected area.
Eel migration concerns: The Avakas area roadworks require a fresh review by the water development department to assess potential modifications affecting the movement of local eel populations.

The committee has been given 15 days to propose corrective measures, which will then be submitted for further scrutiny. Once revised plans are approved, they must be aligned with the special ecological assessment (SEA) from March 2024.

How Did The Akamas Project Go Off The Rails?

The Akamas roadworks project, which began in September 2023, was meant to upgrade 13.4 km of existing roads. But within weeks, environmental groups raised the alarm, accusing contractors of violating strict, legally binding conditions.

As public outcry grew, President Nikos Christodoulides admitted he was “personally annoyed” by the deviations from the approved plan. In December 2023, the council of ministers stepped in, halting construction and ordering an investigation.

Despite the controversy, then-Agriculture Minister Petros Xenophontos initially stated the project would proceed without suspension, only to reverse course days later. The government ultimately terminated its contract with Cyfield in January 2024, leaving the future of the project—and Akamas’s fragile ecosystem—in limbo.

Now, with this latest report laying bare the full scale of environmental damage, the pressure is on. Will the new recommendations lead to genuine reform, or will Akamas remain caught in the crossfire of politics and development?

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Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.