FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The Department of Forests awarded €62.5 million in aerial firefighting contracts, surpassing the original estimate of €48.8 million, according to a new audit report.
The Audit Office’s 2022-2024 report cites a 27.5% cost increase, pointing to inefficiencies in wildfire response planning.
Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou noted that these issues followed the Arakapas wildfire of July 3, 2021, which killed four, destroyed 55 square kilometers of land, and caused damages exceeding €15 million.
The report urges reforms to prevent future financial mismanagement.