The Ecological Movement of Cyprus has levelled serious accusations against the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the management of the Pentakomo Waste Management Facility, claiming significant environmental risks and regulatory breaches.
The group alleges that waste at the facility has overflowed, posing a real threat of groundwater contamination. They assert that improper waste disposal, primarily untreated, at the new landfill site, could damage waterproofing membranes, leading to pollution from leachate.
According to the movement, the government’s decision to terminate the contractor’s agreement nine months ago has not improved operations as intended.
They claim that currently, “the vast majority of waste received is buried in the landfill site, in blatant violation of national and EU laws”.
The eco-group describes a scenario where waste is dumped outside the facility’s reception area by municipal trucks and then transferred to other vehicles for burial in the landfill.
They argue the facility is “operating on autopilot” without adherence to its legal operational framework.
Criticising the Water Development Department’s (TAU) capacity to address these issues, the movement is filing an official complaint with the European Commission.
This complaint cites the Ministry’s alleged failure to manage the facility properly and non-compliance with EU waste management laws and the Aarhus Convention.
The Ecological Movement claims their attempts to engage the minister have been unsuccessful, with their concerns dismissed despite presenting substantiating audiovisual evidence.
They are also calling for the release of findings from a 2019 Cabinet-appointed investigative committee that examined issues at the facility.
The group emphasises that publishing these findings is a right under the Aarhus Convention, given the environmental significance of the issue.
