It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be in the outlying Municipality of Polis Chrysochous for a series of inaugurations
Projects, which together with all the others that are in the process of implementation, have literally transformed the Municipality.
And this can only make me very happy, since this was one of the objectives that we set from the very beginning when we took power, with the first objective being to overcome the economic crisis and then to create the conditions for everything to start changing for the better.
To see every corner of Cyprus transformed, regenerated and changed for the better, including the countryside, mountainous and border areas.
To make every city, every municipality, every community, attractive places to live, to be active, but also unique tourist destinations.
And this is exactly the picture that Polis Chrysochous now presents.
Through the significant projects of substantial upgrading of infrastructure and services, it has become a modern and functional Municipality for the benefit of its residents and visitors.
And I must warmly congratulate my friend the Mayor and the members of the Municipal Council, without failing to make reference to the previous Mayor and his Municipal Council who, through the close cooperation they developed with the Government, succeeded in rolling out cutting-edge projects that are gradually changing and shaping a new face to the marginal municipality of Polis Chrysochous.
At the same time, I would like to thank them for the close cooperation between us that allowed the realization of our common vision for the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens.
Most importantly, following the development of the Municipality, the prospects for even greater economic, cultural and social development for the benefit of the citizens of Polis Chrysochous have been created. A project that has been pending for decades. When with determination the Government wanted to implement it, some well known and unexceptional people, not to go any further, felt that the project was unprofitable. It was not profitable. I will not comment further. What is important is that through our determination the road is under execution.
This is because it is one of the biggest development projects of the last decades, which was a constant and, above all, a completely justified demand of the authorities, but also of the residents of the Paphos district and the Chrysochous district.
The start of the construction works of the first phase of the motorway, with a total budget of 83 million euros, proves that we did not stick to our promises.
Facilitating accessibility, moreover, opens up new prospects and creates the conditions, among other things, for upgrading the life of the residents, for making the municipality an attractive place for permanent living and activity for young families, new investors and entrepreneurs, but also for dynamic tourism development.
Directly interwoven with the above objective is the preparation of generous housing projects for permanent residence or activity in the mountainous and peripheral areas, including the Municipality of Polis and the Communities of the department of Chrysochous, with an annual budget of EUR 15 million.
An equally important project, which has also been a long-standing request of the Municipality and the neighbouring communities, is the launch of the expansion of the port of Latium, at a cost of more than 45 million euros, with the creation of 350 new berths and moorings, even for cruise ships. Already, the tender for the designers of the project and the construction works is underway, and I hope that soon, through the completion, the project will be tendered so that as soon as possible the new construction works in the port will become a reality as our goals and objectives.
I consider self-evident the multiple tourist, economic and not only benefits that will arise for the wider region from this project, but also through the development of a healthy competition of all the tourist areas of the island.
I also note the opening, as of 17 January this year, of the new welfare benefits service point of the Ministry of Social Welfare in the Municipality of the City of Chrysochous, as well as the forthcoming appointment of a social worker, with the aim of improving the social services provided throughout the department of Chrysochous.
In addition to the above, I also record the implementation of a series of requests put before us by the Local Authority, the implementation of which, in addition to solving problems and meeting any needs, led to the substantial development and reform of the Municipality, making it, despite its small size, a reference point.
So far, projects have been completed at a total cost of approximately 10 million euros, concerning:
Ø The construction of a Multipurpose Centre for the Elderly in Prodromi.
Ø The upgrading of the fishing shelter and the landscaping of the warehouses of the Cyprus Port Authority in Latchi.
Ø The extension of the Primary School.
Ø The construction of the coastal walkway.
Ø The construction of ten breakwaters to protect the beaches of the Municipality from erosion.
Ø The study for the promotion and protection of the archaeological sites of the Municipality.
In addition, I note the targeted upgrade of health services at the Polis Chrysochous Hospital, with:
Ø The reopening, this week, of the 11-bed capacity ward.
Ø The staffing of the Accident and Emergency Department, as well as the strengthening of outpatient care services with more medical officers.
Ø The extension of the opening hours of the Radiology Department and the Chemistry Department.
Ø The reinforcement of the Ambulance Station resulting in 24-hour coverage of the department.
In addition to the above, the implementation of projects totalling more than 7 million euros has been launched, concerning:
Ø The regeneration and revitalisation of the traditional core in the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous.
Ø The regeneration/revitalisation of the traditional core in Prodromi.
Ø The study for the extension of the port of Latsiou.
Ø The study for the extension of the port of Latsiou.
As I mentioned at the beginning, with the implementation and rolling out of the projects I have mentioned, the multiplier benefits they have brought have become visible, whether they concern, among other things, the obvious upgrading of the tourist product and the lengthening of the tourist season or the consequent attraction of new investments and the creation of new jobs.
It is no coincidence that the market and the planned tourist developments are not accidental or unconnected with the fact that the Polis Chrysochous - Paphos road is under construction, which will create new accessibility prospects in one of the most beautiful border areas of Cyprus and not only that, but also with the creation and operation of the Akamas Park, which will be a model park. I assure my fellow community leaders of the Akamas area that consideration will be given when publicising the project and the cost they are being asked to pay by the imposed to be followed, guidelines, of the Environmental Authority.
With the operation of the park currently under construction I am sure that the multiplier benefits to the Communities and the Town will be even greater.
And taking this opportunity, I would like to say, my friend the Mayor, to the request that you have made that what I can only promise, because in a few weeks my term in office will end, is that in those projects that are deemed to fall within the interpretation of the term "road projects" and of course the State's contribution will be greater by reducing the City's contribution to 20 percent as is the case with all road projects.
Let me mention that the Government's development projects have been extended throughout the department of Chrysocho, with the completion or launching of 20 projects in the communities of the department, at a cost of 17 million euros. While, in total, 141 projects have been completed or are in the process of implementation in the Municipalities and Communities of Paphos District, at a total cost of more than €339 million.
Handing over the governance of the country in the next few days, I feel at ease because, through the policies we have adopted and the projects we have implemented thanks to the close cooperation with the local Governments, we have enhanced the economic, social, agricultural, cultural and tourism development prospects of both the cities and the municipalities and communities of the mountainous and marginal areas.
This has also been the goal of our ten-year governance: To build and deliver to the citizens a modern, European state that meets the increased and fully justified demands of civil society.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my warm congratulations and praise to my friend the Mayor and his predecessor for their plans and to the City Councils for their tireless and efficient efforts for the progress and development of the city.
Even long into the presidency, I will follow your progress. It is your determination that is the most important factor.
(PM/MG/EXP)
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