This week in North Cyprus > 5th - 12th December 2005
Bypass blues
Traffic chaos in and around Kyrenia looks set to continue after a government minister admitted to Cyprus Today that there is still no start date for the western Bypass. Problems with the tender process means that the contract for the twice delayed 14 million YTL project that was due to begin in April, has still not been awarded. The bypass that will run from the Girne - Lapta road just west of Karaoglanoglu, to Zetenlik and then the Girne - lefkosa road, is seen as a vital to ease the area's crippling traffic problems. it will take just under two years to complete and run alongside a mini bypass - eventuassy linking up with a proposed Eastern bypass - to cut down on town centre traffic. Although an exact date of when this process will start is unable to be given as not enough information was given to carry out the process. The issue is still being dicussed and either the project will be undertaken by the original firm which won the tender or the firm who gave second highest bid.
Fees for permits slashed
The fees paid for residence and work permits by foreigners and Turkish Nationals have been brought into line with each other. The fee paid by foreign nationals including Europeans will now be 130 YTL for a work or residence permit, down from 428 YTL for a work permit and 214 YTL for a temporary residency. These new amounts should come into effect from the 1st January. It is understood that Work and residance permit related health tests have also been reduced from £ 154 to £ 100.
UN warns North on Lokmaci bridge
The Un peacekeepng force in Cyprus (unficyp) has told Turkish Cypriots to stop building a controversial border crossing at Lokmaci Barricade until an agreement can be made with the South. But the TRNC has indicated that while it will consider the UN's call, work to open the gate will continue. UN officials on Thursday said they could not support the proposed opening until it was done in the spirit of confidence - building. They called on both sides to resume on efforts to find " mutually acceptable arrangements " for the opening of the crossing that will be used by civilians. The Greek Cypriot authorities have called for immediate freezing on all activities currently going on in the area. Turkish Cypriot authorities are determined to complete this project therefore carried on working throughout the week. This was despite complaints from the unficyp that workers were violating the buffer zone while clearing the rubble around the area. TRNC Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said work to open the Lokmaci gate will not stop, but the government would consider the UN's suggestions.
Wet dock boost
a special "wet dock" is being set up in Gazi magusa for the repair of maintenance and boats in the port. The floating pool imported from Germany, is the first one in the island and uses a system widely employed worldwide within the shipping industry. A deep water area is being prepared to site the new dock, which costs $3.4 million and is expected to be open in about a month.
Piped water project on course
Work on a unique project designed to pipe clean water for drinking and agriculture to the TRNC from Turkey is expected to start next year, it was annonced this week. The $ 9.5 million project is targeted to bring in 75 million cubic squares of water a year 15 million to be used as drinking water. Tests are to take place early next year to assess the pipes ability to cope with pressure, to withstand earthquakes and drainage capabilities. If results are positive, the buiding of the undersea country - to - country pipeline will be the first in the world. Finance for the project is already in place by Turkey and an agreement has been struck between the two countries' water departments on the installation of the piping. The project would take 5-10 years to complete. In the meantime water shortage at Karpaz would be solved by treating sea water at Bafra and a similar desalination plant would be established at Girne. The "peace water project" project will bring water from the Dragon River at Anamur, Turkey, to the TRNC through 78km of 1.6m - Diameter pipes, sunk 250m below the sea.
Currency exchange rates
US Dollar |
1.35 |
UK Pound |
2.34 |
Cyprus Pound |
2.67 |
Euro |
1.58 |
The weather this week in North Cyprus
The warm dry weather will come to an end on Wednesday with cloud and rain - sometimes heavy - setting in and temperatures plummeting 2-4C below everage to 16-18C. Winds will be moderate northerly to easterly at first, changing to south - westerly, sometimes strong, with the onset of the Rains.
Maximum, mimimum and rainfall in North Cyprus last week
Town/City |
Minimum Temperature |
Maximum Temperature |
Rain |
Lefkosa |
6.7 |
23.8 |
- |
Ercan |
7.6 |
23.4 |
- |
Gazi Magusa |
9.0 |
22.1 |
- |
Girne |
12.8 |
21.5 |
- |
Güzelyurt |
7.0 |
25.0 |
- |
Resources: Cyprus Today
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