Audit office report reveals serious irregularities in Akamas National Forest Park projects

A new special report from the Audit Office has identified significant failures in the design and implementation of infrastructure projects within the Akamas National Forest Park. Three years after construction began in October 2022, only 17.67 percent of the work has been completed, despite 94 percent of the contract time having elapsed. Auditors highlighted that the initial environmental assessments were conducted without establishing specific conservation objectives, leading to recurring issues with over-excavation and illegal waste management. Furthermore, 17 of the 19 supplementary environmental conditions imposed after work started remain unfulfilled, with some ecological damage, particularly involving riverbed excavation, deemed irreversible.

The report also criticizes the use of box culverts that block the movement of the protected European eel and notes the unauthorized construction of buildings in protected zones. The findings have been referred to the Attorney General to determine if criminal offenses were committed. While the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment argued that the initial assessment followed existing laws and stated it is reviewing the findings to improve governance, environmental groups have criticized the authorities for their previous denial of these systemic irregularities. The ministry has confirmed that the number of planned visitor service hubs has been reduced from 14 to 8 to mitigate further impact.