The construction of the Pafos-Polis Chrysochous road will be completed within three years, Public Works Department Director Lefteris Eleftheriou announced after the termination of the existing contractor’s agreement on Monday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Eleftheriou said the original contract, signed for a duration of three and a half years, was set to run from May 27, 2021 until November 26, 2024.
The contractor had demanded a 59-month extension and an additional €36 million in funding, Eleftheriou said.
“As the Department of Public Works and Ministry of Transport, we commit to re-tender and complete this project within three years“, he added, noting that the government was unwilling to lose more valuable time on a contract that had already faced extensive delays.
“Our goal is to complete the project with the expected benefits for the region”, he said.
Eleftheriou explained that the department, its director-general and the Transport Minister had made “intensive efforts” to overcome obstacles and address the contractor’s demands.
He detailed monthly meetings with the contractor to monitor work progress and resolve site issues, including quarry materials, suitable materials and the gradual submission of project studies.
The Central Committee of Changes and Claims (CCCC) deemed the contractor’s demands for additional time and costs “highly problematic and excessive”, Eleftheriou said.
He explained that all claims were examined by both the employer’s representative and the CCCC before being rejected.
Following these developments, the department decided to implement contract termination provisions.
Alternative construction methods proposed by the contractor were evaluated, including by an independent expert, but were deemed unacceptable, Eleftheriou added.
Regarding next steps, he said the department would immediately begin recording completed works to prepare the final account in cooperation with the contractor.
This would be followed by new documentation preparation, tendering and project award.
Eleftheriou also noted that the Ministry of Transport and Public Works Department would proceed with planning and implementing Phase B of the project (Stroumpi-Polis Chrysochous) according to the original schedule.
This phase, budgeted for 2026, remains unaffected by Phase A developments.
Read more:
