Today could be called a historic day for the city of Larnaca and its citizens, and not only, but for Cyprus as a whole, since the grandiose project associated with the redevelopment of the area where the port and the Larnaca Marina will be developed is not only taking shape, but will contribute with its implementation to the progress of Larnaca and the whole territory.
And I cannot but express the satisfaction of the State, since with this development another, perfectly justified for decades, demand of the Municipality of Larnaca is satisfied.
Suffice it to say that this is the largest investment ever made in Cyprus, with an estimated total expenditure of 1.2 billion euros, in full development of the project.
It is enough to mention that this is the largest investment ever made in Cyprus, with an estimated total expenditure of 1.2 billion euros.
In addition to the upgrading, expansion, operation and maintenance works, the projects include, among others, the redevelopment of the road network and the creation of infrastructure for residential, commercial, social and cultural use.
Most importantly, in addition to the creation of more than four thousand new jobs and the upgraded identity it will give to our tourism product, the additional estimated benefits for the economy, beyond the investments, are estimated to exceed 120 million euros per year during the period of full development.
The key project of the integrated development of Larnaca port and marina adds to the visibly revitalized image that the city has presented in recent years.
A revitalized image, which is the result of the implementation of numerous development projects, which completely reshape Larnaca, cooperating dynamically in its transformation into a modern European city.
A city that is now an attractive place to live, do business, trade and tourism.
It is for this reason that I would like to emphasize our particular satisfaction, since this significant developmental impetus of recent years is due - and I emphasize this - to the close cooperation between the executive and local government, due to the close cooperation between an inspiring Mayor, but also a capable City Council that helped, so that through synergy, through the maturity of the projects, we were allowed by funding to execute projects that for decades were either unclaimed or due to the inability on the part of central government and possibly local authorities to be able to combine to deliver what we owe to the citizens. .
In order to understand the scope of the efficiency of cooperation, it is characteristic that as far as the Municipality of Larnaca is concerned, from 2015 onwards, projects totalling 141 million euros have been completed or are in the process of implementation. I am referring to the projects for the Municipality of Larnaca.
The scope of the projects does not allow me to list each of them, but allow me to emphasize that the most important is the fact that the long-standing and long-standing demands of Larnaca residents have been met, which for various reasons have been lying dormant for decades.
And I am not only referring to this particular project, a project whose investment alone highlights the breadth of economic benefits to the country town, but also, in conjunction with the port, to the relocation of petroleum facilities that is expected to breathe new life into a chronically underdeveloped area. If you consider the development of the port and marina with a coastline of more than eight kilometres, you realise the dimensions that it takes on and enhances the city of Larnaca.
I am referring to projects as follows.
Ø The construction of a new wing of the Larnaca Hospital.
Ø The concession of buildings of the old Hospital for housing the Municipal Hall of the City.
Ø The relocation of the petroleum products facilities which is expected to give new impetus to the development of an area that has been underdeveloped for years.
Ø The total redevelopment of the urban centre of the City, with important projects completed, such as, among others.
● Upgrading of Drosia Primary School.
● Creation of an outdoor sports infrastructure at Ayios Georgios High School.
● New facilities for the Larnaca Tennis Club.
● New facilities for the Larnaca Tennis Club.
● Street reconstruction and paving of important roads.
But even the important flood protection works that were absolutely necessary in a city that was flooded during the winter. I hope that with the works already being carried out and those to be built you will enjoy a modern city completely renewed as in the old glories of Larnaca. This is the will, the desire, the goal of the close cooperation with the Mayor and the City Council. A very, very important development project, since it connects the port, the marina with the new coast of Larnaca.
There will be an opportunity to report extensively on all of them, since I will be conducting a tour to take stock of my work, there are only a few months left before the end of my term of office.
There will be an opportunity to report extensively on all of them, since I will be conducting a tour to take stock of my work, there are only a few months left before the end of my term of office.
The above, working towards the goal of sustainable and sustainable development, makes absolutely clear the positive results resulting from cooperation between central and local government, and I want to emphasise this.
As I have noted many times, I would like to reassure you that always in the context of the financial possibilities of the State, the European funds, the evaluation of projects that can be co-financed, which always depend on the actions of Local Authorities, if the projects are mature, I want you to take for granted the support of the Government in the projects that are mature for implementation.
A possibility that will take on even greater dimensions after the passing of the major reform that we have jointly planned for Local Government.
And thank you very much, my dear Mayor, as President of the Union of Municipalities, for having made a significant contribution to finally achieving this reform. It may not fully meet the specifications or the studies. But a leap has been made, a first step, possibly in the future amendments may be required - that is always the case when major reforms are made. At first with hesitation, then, once the importance is understood, boldly, so as to obtain the best possible results.
It is a reform that will finally give the administrations of municipalities and communities the capacity to respond with financial and administrative autonomy to the demands and needs of the citizens.
I hope that a number of other reform bills pending in Parliament will receive similar treatment from the parties, regardless of whether they support or oppose the Government. That is democracy, but I am sure that none of the political forces will think of refusing to adopt measures that are in the interest of the people as a whole, and the political forces certainly come from the people as a whole.
As I have already mentioned, today is a historic milestone for Larnaca and its citizens, as the Port and Marina development project will give new impetus to the development of the city and beyond.
For this reason and once again I would like to praise all those who worked to achieve the agreement, whether it is the Ministry or the working group, I will not make a specific mention, but I will refer to the bold investors who with vision dared to invest in order to create the conditions, such as Panos Alexandrou and Eyal Ben David, who is the CEO of the consortium, who with their own initiative, their own drive and their own boldness are putting their stamp on the development of our country and especially on the development of our beloved city of Larnaca.
I wish you success which will not only be yours, but also that of our country.
(PM/NG/IK)
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