All citizens and business sectors may find themselves in front of unpleasant surprises, especially in the field of development, since District Local Government Organizations seem to be quite late in their preparation to operate in 2024. In order to understand the range of activities of the District Organizations, suffice it to say that they include water supply, sewerage, solid waste management and of course the big issue of building licensing.

One of the technocrats dealing with the issue, the general manager of SALA and Project Manager for the creation of the Limassol District Self-Government Organization, Yiannis Tsouloftas, when asked by "F" about the progress of the process, given that the start of the Organizations is approaching, described it as "critically late".

If, in the end, despite all the efforts made, the District Organizations are not ready to operate on time, apart from the fact that chaos may prevail for some time or a new transition period may arise, the confidence of citizens in the long-awaited reform of Local Government will also be lost. Worse still, the impression may be created that everything was done to share the new formations among the parties without regard for serving the citizen in whose name the reform was promoted.

Replying to a question, Mr. Tsouloftas said: "We are already critically late" and added: The extension of the two-and-a-half years given to the term of office of the Local Government Authorities on the grounds of preparing the reform expires soon without all the required preparations having been done with due speed. Things are moving slowly and I very much fear that, unless the procedures are speeded up and intensified, time will pass and we will get out of hand.

Regarding the obstacles that arise in the course and the role of the human factor in the whole process, Mr. Tsouloftas indicates that the reform of Local Government will affect the life and daily life of all those professionally engaged in this field. Among other things, all political and senior management positions (mayors, community leaders, municipal secretaries, municipal engineers, general directors of councils, etc.) will be reduced in numbers and this in itself creates conditions of introversion that may lead in some cases to manipulations and counterproductive tactics on the basis of personal agendas.

According to Mr. Tsouloftas, the fear of losing powers can lead to negativity and obstructionism. He says that everyone affected must understand the advantages of this modernizing reform, support it and embrace it, indicating that legislation, circulars, committees and working groups are necessary but not enough on their own to create the conditions for the success of this ambitious undertaking.

We all need to be convinced of the benefits that will accrue to each of us from this important change, he added.

According to the director general of SALA, there are problems in the voted legislation that need to be corrected, which takes time. It also states that the legislation must also be amended to allow the creation of conditions that will allow the completion of the preparatory processes, so that in June 2024 the District Organizations can start operating with the least possible problems. It suggests that concrete actions should be taken immediately in this direction.

As Mr. Tsouloftas mentions, everyone's goal and vision should be to create modern, effective and reliable public organizations that will meet the needs and expectations of the local community, support economic development and promote environmental protection.

And what does the average citizen have to gain from this whole process, which seems to be mainly about technocrats?

As Mr. Tsouloftas explains, the ordinary citizen is fed up with the inefficiency and fragmentation of the responsibilities of state services and it is known that he is often referred from one service to another to carry out a simple task. The creation of a District Organization, which will be able to serve the citizen quickly and efficiently in a wide range of issues falling within its competence, as a one-stop-shop, is expected to improve the level of service to the ordinary citizen, says the Project Manager for the creation of the Limassol District Authority.

Also, the specialization that the District Organizations will acquire in matters of their competence and the economies of scale that will arise (from the creation of larger organizations) are expected to significantly improve the service of the ordinary citizen and in the long run to create economic benefits.

But, as he indicates, the business community will also benefit, from water supply to licensing. Specifically, the District Organizations with their operation will support entrepreneurship and economic activity, by creating conditions of transparency and by accelerating all processes that promote development and consequently the creation of national wealth.

Besides, the role of District Organizations in the construction sector, which is the main driving force of the Cypriot economy, is very crucial, as Mr. Tsouloftas points out and adds: Both in the water supply and sewerage sectors, but mainly in the field of licensing, transparency and speed will create beneficial conditions.

In the menu aqueous and garbage

Given the environmental problems Cyprus is facing, Mr. Tsouloftas prioritizes the proper management of garbage and the need to improve performance in this area.

Besides, given the water problem, he believes that the proper management of both drinking water and recycled water will be a great challenge. The construction of sewerage systems for the protection of public health and underground aquifers is also considered a great challenge.

In general, for the success of this venture, he mentions that the whole effort must be based on the following pillars:
-Streamlined organizational structure and proper staffing and training of staff.
-Application of modern management techniques and flexibility in decision making.
-Redesign of processes aiming at efficiency, speed and transparency.
-Utilization of modern computer systems, internet technology, but also other technologies such as Geographic Information Systems, etc.
-Specialization in core activities and synergies in support services.

In conclusion, Mr. Tsouloftas believes that information, consultation, engagement, constructive exchange of views are key ingredients for the success of this reform. District Self-Government Organizations will change our daily lives. Therefore, a collective effort is required from all of us for their co-formation and co-creation, he concludes.

INTERVENTION

Only option with the citizen

If we take into account that a Member of Parliament fought for the Municipality in which his father-in-law is mayor to remain autonomous, then we should also recognize the concern of workers in various posts to maintain their achievements and their prospects for promotion.

However, in prioritizing the overall good, we must side with the citizen, who is interested in being served decently and at a lower cost (compared to today) than who serves him. The reform, which in some cases resembled a give-and-take bargain, was passed by Parliament and now remains to be implemented. And for those who have obstacles, there are procedures to bypass or go home.