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Problems that were expected to arise, as in any major reform, have so far been recorded in the Provincial Self-Government Organizations (POAs), identified by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou during his extraordinary visits today to the POAs of Limassol and Larnaca. The visits took place in the context of the continuous assessment of the progress of the Local Government Reform and the close cooperation that the Ministry seeks to have with the LGUs in order to resolve any difficulties that arise. The Minister of Interior was briefed on the difficulties faced by the newly established agencies after their first month of operation, particularly in the area of development licensing.
Speaking to media representatives after his visit to the Larnaca EDA, Mr. Ioannou said that his visits today to the two SEAs were part of his ongoing monitoring of the progress of the reform and operation of the Provincial Authorities in the areas of licensing, sanitation and water supply. As the Minister said, there are difficulties, which were to be expected. "We had stated from the beginning that in a major reform there would be problems. There are already problems of different philosophies due to the merging of staff from municipalities and other planning authorities. There were some problems with the IPODAMOS system, which have been resolved by the State Ministry of Innovation," he said."
He added that there were some delays in issuing permits, noting that the number of permits issued this first month is low. This, Ioannou continued, was largely due to the fact that it took time in the first few weeks of the EIA's operation to complete the move of staff, equipment and files. He pointed out that in the Limassol District, the transfer of files from all the municipalities has not yet been completed. I was also informed by the President of the Larnaca EOA about various actions, there are also some personnel problems, which, where we can, we will solve. Our goal is, in cooperation with the Provincial Organizations, which are now autonomous Organizations, to help, so that they slowly reach the level we have envisioned," the Minister said.
Asked to say whether most problems are recorded in the licensing sector, the Interior Minister said that there are also problems in sanitation and water supply, citing as an example the outdated water supply systems in some areas of Limassol and Larnaca, which will need to be replaced. He noted that most of the problems affecting the daily life of citizens relate to licensing, explaining that these were partly due to technical problems in the practical implementation of the "IUPODAMOS" system, which were largely resolved thanks to the quick reflexes of the contractor and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. According to the Minister, improvements are constantly being made to address any problems that arise.
"There were also the issues, which we expected, related to the different rhythms or philosophies of the various urban planning authorities that were merged. And that's where it's a challenge for the Directors to reconcile the different philosophies. It's going to take some time. In every major reform these things happen. It's not something we're worried about at this stage. They were problems that we anticipated, but that does not mean that we should not be alert and communicating and there and where we can resolve them."
He went on to point out that the biggest problem that will be of more immediate concern when the House of Representatives opens in September is the payment of 60 percent of EDA revenues to municipalities. "It is something that as a Government we are concerned about and we believe that the Municipal Union along with the legislature should try to find a solution because it is a decision that was taken in 2022 to cut 60% from the EDAs without any provision for where that 60% will be met from and that creates a big problem for the Provincial LGUs," he said.
Asked if this amount will be covered from the State's coffers, the Minister of Interior noted that if no solution is found, the State will have to resolve the issue. "But we will have to see and Parliament and the Association of Municipalities in collaboration with us, what is the best way to do this. There are various ways of doing it. The important thing is that 60 per cent should be returned to the Provincial Organizations. In the philosophy of the law is that they should be financially and administratively autonomous. For them to be financially autonomous, the revenues that are contributory to the permits must all stay in the coffers of the Organizations so that they can use the revenues to do their budgets. When you come in and take away 60%, then they are not financially self-sufficient. So there is a problem in the legislation itself. My view is that it should be given to the EDAs and then we can see what is the actual amount, the actual costs that should be given to the municipalities. It is an issue that the legislature itself should try to resolve," Mr Ioannou said.
In response to a question about the possibility of his intervention on the complaints of the municipal group AKEL of the municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneos, which complains that the municipality's representation on the EDA's Board of Directors was neglected, Mr Ioannou said. Minister pointed out that, on the basis of the legislation, he could not intervene and referred to the provisions of the law on the procedures for representation on the Board of Directors of the EAA.
Then, in response to a journalist's comment on the high rents and the difficulties faced by citizens in meeting their housing needs, the Interior Minister referred to the integrated housing policy announced by the Government last October for the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus. "There was a housing policy before and it was very successful, such as the plans for mountainous and peripheral areas, but these concerned some individual issues. We have announced the urban incentives, there is a lot of interest. We have received about 18 expressions of interest. So there is a lot of interest and we expect in September and October to receive a number of applications for either the planning incentives or the Built to Rent scheme. The other two pillars, which are the Renovate to Rent Scheme and the Youth Grant, we have been ready for some time now, we are waiting for the legislative and technical review - which I hope will be completed in the next few days by the Legal Service - to advertise these two Schemes, which will very much help to increase the housing stock."
For his part, the President of the Larnaca EDA Mr. Angelos Hadjicharalambous described the meeting with the Minister of Interior as very constructive, saying that there was an exchange of views on the first days of operation of the EDA.
For his part, the President of the Larnaca EDA Mr. Angelos Hadjicharalambous described the meeting with the Minister of Interior as very constructive, saying that there was an exchange of views on the first days of operation of the EDA. "We discussed the issues and the practical solution of the difficulties we have for the proper functioning of the agencies. We are in full consultation with the Ministry, we have a common goal, which is none other than to ensure that the reform, the Provincial Local Government Organisation and the objectives we have set succeed," Hajicharalambous noted. He added that meetings for continuous mutual information have been established.
Asked to refer to the problems faced by the Organization in its first month of operation, the President of the Larnaca EOA spoke about the technical problems of the "Ippodamos" system, which are being handled. He added that there are some staffing problems pending the Budget, in order to proceed with the procedures for permanent staffing of the Agency.
In relation to water supply, Mr. Hadjiharalambous said that in some communities the network needs replacement, noting that actions have been orbited for handling.
Asked about this, Mr. Hadjiharalambous said that the Larnaca EIA issued around 50 applications, a reduced number, noting however that several applications have been reviewed and permits will be issued in the coming days. The Larnaca EOA received around 1,650 planning applications and around 2,800 building applications, which will be examined on the basis of a plan, he said.
In conclusion, the President of the Larnaca EOA assured that the Agency is now operating at a better pace, after the first period of change, and said that solutions have been launched and their results are awaited, in order to speed up procedures and service to citizens.
(MKY)
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