Nicosia Turkish Municipality launches £5.5 million tender, targets industrial zone transformation

Mehmet Harmancı, President of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (Lefkoşa Türk Belediyesi, LTB), announced that the municipality’s latest tender, funded from its own resources, is worth £5.5 million. During a visit to the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Harmancı outlined the municipality’s investments and plans for the industrial zone, but gave no details about the scope of the tender.

Harmancı, who is also the TDP’s candidate for Nicosia Mayor, made the visit with candidates for municipal council seats from the TDP and CTP. Discussions covered industrial infrastructure, the costs of municipal services for manufacturers and the area’s future use.

Cleaning plans follow water pipeline and asphalting works

Harmancı said that a 7-kilometre water pipeline had been laid in the industrial zone and asphalting works had begun. He said the problem of rainwater causing road closures on Dr Fazıl Küçük Boulevard had been resolved, adding that the municipality aimed to address all rainwater problems in the coming period and establish a dedicated cleaning team for the area.

Harmancı reported that nearly 800 vehicles had been removed as part of work carried out with the Chamber of Industry. He said the regulation change requested from the central government to allow the vehicles to be sold had not been made. He stressed that decisions by the central administration were also needed to advance work in the area.

Energy savings targeted in treatment costs

Addressing sewerage and related fees, Harmancı announced that, following consultations with the European Union, a solar power plant worth €1.5 million and with a capacity of 840 kilowatts had been built in Haspolat. He said the investment aimed to reduce electricity costs by 20%, adding that the figure could reach 40–45% if gas were also brought into use.

Industry representatives call for changes to fees and the area

Ali Kamacıoğlu, President of the Chamber of Industry, called for favourable treatment for manufacturers and producers on water bills and signage. Kamacıoğlu asked the municipality to work with the government to clean up and organise the area on a lasting basis, and proposed a joint project to convert the existing site into areas for living, sport and walking.

Harmancı said the industrial sector could be moved to a different location, adding that they wanted to relocate 65% of the industry in the Yediler area outside the zone and make the existing site available to the services sector. He said they were waiting for a new government to begin this transformation and that planning would require cooperation with the central administration.