A special report on the procurement and leasing of aerial and ground firefighting resources was issued Tuesday morning by the Audit Office.
The report highlights major weaknesses and omissions uncovered during the review of procedures followed by the Department of Forests from 2022 to 2024 regarding the country’s fire defence planning.
As the awarding authority, the department failed to manage the critical task of equipping the Republic of Cyprus with adequate firefighting assets. This failure is seen as particularly alarming given its implications for public safety and the protection of the island’s natural wealth.
Key issues flagged include poor planning, insufficient market research, inconsistent evaluation criteria, and repeated tenders that either failed to attract offers or were cancelled due to restrictive technical requirements. These often required EASA certifications exclusively, excluding equivalent ICAO-approved alternatives- reducing competition, raising costs, and delaying delivery of critical resources.
Examples cited include:
- Delays:
- Lease of 2 helicopters: tender announced Jan 2024, awarded 20th July 2024 (missing critical summer period).
- Purchase of 42 fire trucks: tender announced Sept 2022, awarded Oct 2023.
- Purchase of 6 tankers: same delays.
- Firefighting aircraft: tender cancelled in Oct 2023 and not reissued.
- Overspending:
- In four out of five cases examined, the estimated combined value was €48.8 million, but final costs rose to €62.2 million- a 27.5% increase.
The Audit Office emphasised that these failures occurred after the country’s most devastating wildfire (Arakapas, July 3, 2021), which killed four people and destroyed 55 km² of land, 28 homes, and vast farmland, causing over €15 million in damages, not counting environmental losses.
“The inability to properly manage such a critical issue, despite the lessons of 2021, represents a serious failure of governance. Immediate corrective measures and institutional accountability are necessary,” the Audit Office concluded.
Also read: New Kalavasos bridge too low for fire trucks
