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It is an honour for me to be here today, celebrating such an important anniversary for the Limassol Water Supply Council: its 70+2 years of life and contribution to the wider Limassol region.
Representing tonight the President of the Republic Mr. Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, allow me to convey to you his warm greetings and appreciation for the work and contribution you have made to the community, to the development and quality of water services to the citizens.
Water is undoubtedly one of the most important factors for the social and economic development of a country.
Water is undoubtedly one of the most important factors for the social and economic development of a country. For Cyprus, water scarcity has been one of the most enduring challenges that the Water Supply Councils have been called upon to address. Challenges which are not only limited to the availability of water resources, but also to their quality.
Our country utilizes conventional and non-conventional sources, aiming to ensure sufficient quantities of water for the needs of the population, agriculture and industry. The rational use of water was and is a strategic objective of key importance and is supported by a broader National Water Strategy, with the sustainable development of water resources as a central pillar.
The Government is called upon to meet the challenges by continuing the implementation of major water projects and promoting the adoption of new innovative technologies and applications for the continuous and effective management of water. The EU Water Framework Directive, which has recently been revised, establishes a legal framework to protect and restore clean water and to ensure the sustainable use and efficient management of this precious natural resource.
The Limassol Water Supply Council is preparing to enter a new era through the imminent reform of the Local Government. The establishment of the Limassol District Self-Government Organisation from 1 July 2024 consolidates the services of SYL, the Limassol-Amathus Sewerage Board, the Limassol Waste Disposal Board (LWDB), and the Development Licensing for Planning and Building Permits at the district level and is expected to have significant benefits both for the organisations themselves and for citizens living both in urban centres and in the countryside.
Exploiting the synergies from the merger of the above mentioned services will work positively towards the provision of more efficient and higher quality services in the above mentioned sectors. The operation of this new institution, together with the changes that are taking place in municipalities and communities, modernize and upgrade the operational framework of local government in Cyprus, in order to provide upgraded services to citizens and better serve them.
Dear President and dear members of the Board of Directors of SYL,
Dear Directors, past, present and former,
Dear staff of the Organization,
I would like to warmly congratulate you on the 72 years of productive life of the Organization, which undoubtedly proves its dedication and effectiveness, from its establishment until today, despite all the challenges.
Turning back the pages of time, the great commitment, business acumen, ethos and vision is reflected.
The alertness to the major challenges for adequate water supply, the action in modernization and adoption of innovations, as well as the focus on providing sufficient quantity and quality of water in the Greater Limassol area is recorded.
It is also recorded, among others, the securing of tens of millions in funding for projects under the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund in the field of water resources management, as well as European funding.
It is recorded the continuous information and awareness raising of the public about the enormous value of water and the need for its proper management on a daily basis.
For this work and more, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to you.
In conclusion, I wish you every success in your work and mission, expressing the belief that the integration of SYL with the other agencies will bring a new era of even better water services throughout your Province.
(EFYs/EP/EXP)
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