Citizens Rally Against Potential Environmental Hazard
In a recent statement, the Citizens of Idalion-Latsia have voiced their concerns over the environmental and health implications of a new industrial development in their area. The community is calling upon the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, and the Commissioner for Environment to intervene and halt the operation of what they fear could become a new source of pollution.
The focus of their concern is a factory that initially received permits for plastic processing but has since made moves to transition into aluminum processing. The Citizens of Idalion-Latsia are alarmed that this shift is being attempted without the necessary permits and that equipment worth millions has already been installed. They are concerned about a factory attempting to change its use to aluminum processing without proper permits and with an environmental study full of inaccuracies.
According to the citizens’ group, the environmental study conducted by the factory is riddled with gaps, particularly regarding waste management and fire safety measures. The latter is of significant concern given the frequency of fires in the area and the subsequent air pollution affecting local residents.
The community has emphasized that Idalion and Latsia are already facing pollution and environmental disturbances, which have had serious health consequences for its inhabitants. They fear that additional industrial activity from the factory could exacerbate these issues.
With the consultation process for changing the factory’s use open until May 10, the Citizens of Idalion-Latsia are urging the public to voice their objections. They have provided a link for submissions: https://eia.moa.gov.cy/public/eiaview.html?no=3659Factory. The group hopes that with enough public support, they can prevent the onset of further environmental degradation in their community.
