The Arsos Community Council held a press conference on Tuesday to defend a development project in the abandoned community of Trozena Gerovasas, with local officials rejecting claims the area would become an “Israeli ghetto” or military base and accusing critics of spreading misinformation for political purposes.
Arsos community leader Giannakis Giannaki said the council welcomed any development in Trozena, arguing it would help end the area’s isolation, create jobs and bring economic activity back to the region. Around ten families from Arsos are already employed in the Trozena area, he said, adding that residents from other communities have also expressed interest.
Giannaki said the issue had taken on a political dimension, alleging it was He also directed criticism at Giorgos Perdikis, claiming he had never visited his village or Trozena. He also directed criticism at Giorgos Perdikis, claiming he had never visited his village or Trozena.
“I have invited them to tell us who prohibited them from entering Trozena and who told them the church would be demolished,” Giannaki said.
On the question of the Church of Agios Georgios in Trozena, Giannaki said the building had been repaired and its surroundings landscaped. He added that anyone wishing to purchase the church should “go and find the owner and negotiate with him, if he wishes to sell.”
Giannaki said infrastructure works had already been carried out in the area, including road resurfacing and masonry work. He called on the state and relevant departments to investigate if any violations had occurred and assign responsibility accordingly. “Let the state and the relevant departments come and report that illegalities took place and, if they did, let responsibility be assigned,” he said.
He directed criticism at the Department of the Environment, which he said was responsible for licensing the project, while noting that the DLGO had expressed a positive stance and was awaiting the views of the other competent departments.
Giannaki said he had received messages telling him to “stop talking so much” but vowed to continue. “I will keep talking, because what I am defending are the interests of my community and the surrounding area,” he said.
He also revealed that, according to information he received the previous day, the investor intends to purchase a private fire engine to be stationed in Trozena ahead of the summer season.
The press conference was continuing at the time of reporting, with community representatives and local residents still taking the floor.
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