Municipalities battle weed growth

Local authorities are struggling to keep green areas weed-free following the heavy rainfall of the past few months.

Aglandjia municipality in Nicosia on Tuesday defended the appearance of a park dedicated to police officers and firemen killed on duty after local residents complained over the tall grass covering the entire area that also serves as a playground.

“It is not neglected, we have in fact cleared the park but because of the heavy rains weeds grow back fast,” the head of the municipality’s health services Kypros Voudias told the Cyprus Mail.

He said the municipality’s crews that are in charge of park maintenance have 90 park areas in their care.

The rich plant growth in addition to staff shortages mean that crews are on an endless battle with weeds.

“By the time we clear all of the parks one by one, weeds grow back,” he said.

The park in question, located on Akadimias Avenue, was founded in 2012 following an initiative of the Friends of the Police association in honour of the six firemen killed during the explosion at Mari naval base in 2011, and 51 police officers killed during the 1960s bicommunal troubles and the invasion or while on duty. This includes one officers missing since 1964 and five since 1974.

“We will clear the weeds form there again when its turn comes again,” Voudias said.

He called for understanding by the municipality’s residents.

“We need some time credit. We are doing the best we can with the staff we have,” he said.

He added that consultations are underway for the park to be adopted by the Police Academy that is adjacent to it so that they will have it under their care and supervision in cooperation with the municipality.