Residents of Larnaca will protest over the planned further development of Larnaca port and marina on April 29, Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras said on Monday.

“Two years have passed since the termination of the contract with the company Kition without any substantial progress, as a result of which there is no longer any room for further delays,” he said.

Vyras emphasised the significance of the project for Larnaca and the wider district, adding that during a meeting on the matter on Friday, a comprehensive report on the project had been delivered.

“[Transport Minister Alexis] Vafeades committed that by the beginning of May the [another] superfund study will be presented, which will include a clear definition of the square metres for land development from the existing land of the port areas,” he said.

According to Vyras, Vafeades has committed to the presentation of a draft proposal, serving as a preliminary plan for the development of the area including the port, the marina and the land, the estimated costs of the project, implementation schedules and a financing scheme.

“The specific commitments of the minister of transport constitute a defining moment and are expected to be accompanied by a full and comprehensive proposal, without further ambiguities or postponements,” he said.

The mayor described the protest as a “sign of unity and determination” that the residents would not accept further delays on the project and were determined to “vigorously pursue” its further development.

“Larnaca requires and is entitled to clear decisions, specific planning and immediate start of implementation,” he underlined.

The long-delayed Larnaca port project gained further attention earlier this month when Vafeades vetoed the ports authority’s plans to present further proposals for the development of the area.

He argued that political decisions needed to be finalised before further proposals could be made public, leaving Vyras frustrated over the lack of coordination between the ports authority and the transport ministry.

The protest will be held next Wednesday at 6pm.