Paphos Acting Mayor Angelos Onisiforou has expressed strong concern and frustration over the condition of the Minos area, commonly known as the Psarochori district in Kato Paphos, describing scenes of neglect that damage the city’s image and tourism appeal.
Speaking to CNA, Onisiforou said the local authority would move ahead with a clean-up and restoration programme for the area.
“Our goal is clear: a city that is clean, well-maintained and worthy of its residents,” he said.
Restoration works begin this week
The acting mayor announced that implementation of a comprehensive plan for the full refurbishment and restoration of the area will begin on Wednesday.
“It is our duty to ensure that every neighbourhood and public space reflects order, cleanliness and respect for citizens,” he said.
The municipality also plans interventions aimed at revitalising the area and ensuring that public spaces are properly utilised, preventing further deterioration and abandonment.
Concerns over vandalism and social issues
According to Onisiforou, the Minos site was inaugurated in 2021 with the ambition of becoming a landmark location. However, five years later, he described its condition as shocking.
He claimed that people are living and sleeping under trees, in bushes, parks and abandoned Turkish Cypriot properties under conditions that do not reflect a modern European city.
Photographs accompanying his statement, he said, illustrate severe degradation throughout the area.
Onisiforou argued that despite repeated complaints from residents, there had been insufficient action by the relevant authorities. He criticised the lack of police presence and said responsible services had failed to take meaningful steps to address the issue.
He also criticised the Social Welfare Services, saying they had monitored the situation without implementing effective interventions.
Public facilities left unused
The acting mayor further stated that offices and kiosks built with public funds remain closed and unused.
According to his statement, the abandonment of these facilities has led to vandalism, break-ins and damage, with some structures allegedly being used as makeshift shelters.
He described a scene of accumulated rubbish, dirt and unpleasant odours, creating what he called an image of decline.
The area’s mosque and public toilets have also been affected, he said, with public facilities allegedly occupied and no longer fully accessible to residents and visitors.
Call for immediate action
Onisiforou noted that the site covers approximately 10,000 square metres and includes buildings, green areas and a playground. It is also located near important archaeological sites and tourist attractions that attract thousands of visitors each year.
Despite its significance, he said, the area had been left to deteriorate.
He stressed that responsibility extends beyond a single authority and includes all agencies that were aware of the situation but failed to act, including the Police, Social Welfare Services, Health Services and the Municipality of Paphos itself.
“We cannot talk about development, tourism and quality of life while allowing such scenes in the heart of Kato Paphos,” he said.
The acting mayor called for immediate measures including cleaning operations, increased policing, social support interventions, the utilisation of existing facilities and the restoration of order and dignity in the area.
He concluded that the current state of the Minos area represents more than neglect, describing it as “a disgrace” caused by collective inaction.
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