Transport Min: Public works with empty hands
21/8/2009 15:26
The decision on the rating of the projects that will be promoted considering the economic data and the government’s revenues will be taken in early September, Transport Minister, Nicos Nicolaides stated on Friday, in an effort to ease the reactions after the government’s decision to postpone the big development projects.
“The expenditure must correspond to our revenues otherwise it will be a completely irresponsible government”, Mr. Nicolaides stated.
The Minister clarified that the procedures for specific projects have already started. “The contract for the Nicosia Oncology Center, which will cost €1 million, was signed on August 6, while that of the Limassol Oncology Center is seen sensitively”, he noted.
According to a StockWatch report released a week ago, the Transport Ministry does not intend to start the procedures for this project in 2009.
Referring to the Cyprus Museum, which will be constructed opposite the Parliament, he said that the contract for the demolition of the old hospital will be signed on August 26. The demolition will start on October 5.
The museum is included in the projects that have been postponed.
As for the presidency project, the Minister said that it has been postponed and that it will be completed by December 2011, that is, 6 months before Cyprus undertakes the EU rotating presidency in 2012.
Responding to the relevant question, the Minister clarified that the House building is expected to cost €100 million and is included in the projects heading towards postponement.
Responding to another question, if all projects included in budget 2009 will be complete do time, “the biggest challenge that the government faces amid the crisis is to adopt its development and social program”, he noted.
“Therefore, what a responsible government would do is to evaluate the projects on the basis of their development and social utility”, he stressed.
Invited to comment whether a priority will be given to projects that will be constructed under the BOT method, he said that these are also related to the state’s economic data. “If, for example, a project is paid after its completion, this will be taken seriously into account”, he stated.
Mr. Nicolaides’ statements were made within the framework of his visit to Athalassa Avenue for an on-the-spot inspection of the project of Nicosia Sewage Council, which will be finalized on Sunday.
“The expenditure must correspond to our revenues otherwise it will be a completely irresponsible government”, Mr. Nicolaides stated.
The Minister clarified that the procedures for specific projects have already started. “The contract for the Nicosia Oncology Center, which will cost €1 million, was signed on August 6, while that of the Limassol Oncology Center is seen sensitively”, he noted.
According to a StockWatch report released a week ago, the Transport Ministry does not intend to start the procedures for this project in 2009.
Referring to the Cyprus Museum, which will be constructed opposite the Parliament, he said that the contract for the demolition of the old hospital will be signed on August 26. The demolition will start on October 5.
The museum is included in the projects that have been postponed.
As for the presidency project, the Minister said that it has been postponed and that it will be completed by December 2011, that is, 6 months before Cyprus undertakes the EU rotating presidency in 2012.
Responding to the relevant question, the Minister clarified that the House building is expected to cost €100 million and is included in the projects heading towards postponement.
Responding to another question, if all projects included in budget 2009 will be complete do time, “the biggest challenge that the government faces amid the crisis is to adopt its development and social program”, he noted.
“Therefore, what a responsible government would do is to evaluate the projects on the basis of their development and social utility”, he stressed.
Invited to comment whether a priority will be given to projects that will be constructed under the BOT method, he said that these are also related to the state’s economic data. “If, for example, a project is paid after its completion, this will be taken seriously into account”, he stated.
Mr. Nicolaides’ statements were made within the framework of his visit to Athalassa Avenue for an on-the-spot inspection of the project of Nicosia Sewage Council, which will be finalized on Sunday.
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