The road will not be easy for the implementation of the Local Government reform, said Interior Minister Nikos Nouris, after the bill was passed by the plenary session of the Parliament, and called for consensus among the stakeholders, while he spoke of a historic day for Cyprus and for Local Government, but also an important day for the citizens of the country.
"Through an arduous process that lasted more than 10 years, we managed to implement something that proved to be a common goal of all, both the government and the parliamentary parties, as well as the Union of Municipalities and Union of Communities," the minister said, noting that the result is "a real achievement" despite the disagreements that arose along the way.
He stressed, of course, that the road is not easy. "We have a two-year period ahead of us during which we will all have to work in this transition period, so that in 2024 what has just been voted on becomes a reality, that is, to have a structured model ready to be put before the citizens in a new format," he said, recalling that the goal is higher quality services, at the lowest possible cost, operating under transparent procedures and strict controls, "leaving in the past all the negatives that had crept into the T.With administrative autonomy and generous support from the state, with a fixed amount that will ensure financial viability, the TA will finally be able to get back on its feet, the minister said."
With administrative autonomy and generous support from the state, with a fixed amount that will ensure financial sustainability, the TA will finally be able to get back on its feet, the minister said. He, however, stressed that there are no easy solutions and expressed the Government's satisfaction with the outcome. He issued a call on behalf of the Government for everyone to work to overcome the problems that he said will surely arise.
Responding to a question on when the changes will start to become visible, he said the horizon is essentially 2024. He stressed, however, that as of tomorrow the Ministry of Interior is already ready to start evaluating what has been passed, identifying problems that may arise and solving problems. "We have to structure new organizations, set up new organizational charts and all this requires the continuation of a good consensual climate that prevailed all these months during the debate," he concluded.
Asked whether changes or even the return of some issues before the Parliament are expected, Nouris said that changes should not be ruled out. "Through the flexibility that bills provide in specific provisions, there is the possibility of variations and it does not mean that changes are always bad. If we see that through the new order there is a necessity for changes, we will do so," he said.
"I am sure there will be the necessity to come back to Parliament, as these are three extremely complex pieces of legislation, which may need to be differentiated, but always under the general political decision of reform," he added, stressing that any changes will be aimed at solving problems and not at creating new ones.
Regarding the proposal to hold referendums, he said it was "a wise decision not to qualify the concept of referendums today because it would only cause problems."
"The government has received this result from the Parliament and we must implement this effort, but we must also convey to the European partners that this is the will of the Cypriot Parliament and we will try in every way to make it viable and as structured as possible in the long term," the minister said, adding that among the government's obligations is to inform the public, which will be done gradually, as the implementation of specific provisions of the bills proceeds.
A good day for parliament and local government, says Interior Committee President
Today was described as "a good day for parliament and local government" by Interior Committee President and AKEL MP Aristos Damianou, on the occasion of the passing of the bills on the reform of local government, underlining that "if everything we voted for today is implemented almost unanimously, by 2024 citizens will be able to enjoy an efficient, functional and more accessible local government, a local government that will be close to what is called local government abroad".
Damianou expressed his satisfaction "because as chairman of this committee we have managed, through a difficult and painful process, to complete a reform which can effectively modernise local government to meet the needs of Cypriot society."
As the AKEL MP said, the party's positions "are very much reflected in the bills and that is why we have voted in favour. Of course there are issues on which we have our disagreements, but we have kept the big picture and the big picture is that this reform was necessary and should have been pushed through," adding that "from there on, the ball is now in the court of those responsible to take the bills, the laws now, and turn them into life. We as the Home Affairs Committee will monitor the process and where we deem necessary we will intervene creatively".
Concluding, the President of the Committee of Internal Affairs stated that AKEL has always been at the forefront of the reform and modernisation of local government: "It would be an oxymoron if at this time we were at the tail end of developments, we as the Committee of Internal Affairs led the effort and we remain committed to the effort to complete and practically implement this reform."
Source: CNA
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